Morika Biljabu
born 1988
Manyjilyjarra language group, Purungu skin group
Punmu community
Martumili Artists
Morika was born in Port Hedland and grew up in Parnngurr and Punmu communities. She began working with Martumili Artists in 2006, and through her work with both Martumili and the Canning Stock Route Project, she has expanded her skills in photography and filmmaking. In 2009, Morika was nominated for the Prix Pictet, an international prize devoted to photography and sustainability.
Canning Stock Route and surrounding country
2008, by Kumpaya Girgaba, Ngamaru Bidu, Mabel Warkarta, Nola Taylor, Thelma Judson, Marjorie Yates, Dulcie Gibbs, Yuwali Janice Nixon, Rosie Williams, Nora Nangapa, Bugai Whylouter, Nora Wompi, Jakayu Biljabu and Morika Biljabu
acrylic on canvas, 292×129 cm
Martumili Artists
National Museum of Australia
This painting, which was produced by 14 women artists at Kunawarritji (Well 33), represents a stretch of Country crossed by the Canning Stock Route. It depicts a number of the waterholes that were made into wells, but many other permanent and ephemeral water sources are also included. When the Canning Stock Route was in use as a droving highway, many families avoided the stock route wells believing the route to be too dangerous for women and children. They relied on these other waters to ensure their safe passage through contested land.
