Desert Landscapes: Meet Yued Noongar Artist Jessica Begg

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Meet Yued Noongar Artist Jessica Begg

INTERVIEWED BY TEAGAN KUM SING

EDITED BY LAURA HALL

02 OCTOBER 2024

Our new Desert Landscapes collection has been created with artwork by Yued Noongar descendant, Jessica Begg. Like all her artistic inspiration, she feels most connected to her family and Culture through her creativity. Especially with her Great-Grandfather being part of the stolen generations, she connects with her heritage through her creativity.

Today, she lives in her hometown of Moora, Western Australia. She draws inspiration from her family, the native flora, and rough spinifex of the Yued region, the heat in the summer, the Moore River, and the meeting places in between. After spending years studying traditional Indigenous art, she blended this with an unrestricted palette to create her unique adaptation of contemporary.

We interviewed her about the themes and inspirations behind these artworks. Here's what she had to say.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Discover Desert Landscapes

Vincent Lingiari, addressing the media after Prime Minister Gough Whitlam officially returns Aboriginal land at Wattie Creek, Northern Territory, August 1975.

What was your journey to creating these pieces?

I have always been inspired by the rich history and traditions of my ancestors, and I wanted to find a way to express that through my art. I have spent years studying traditional Indigenous art forms and techniques, while also experimenting with new mediums and styles to create pieces that are both rooted in tradition and part of the contemporary art world. My journey has been a process of exploration and discovery, as I continue to learn and grow as an artist while honouring the legacy of my ancestors.

Calm Place

Calm place to me is not just a physical location, but a state of mind - a place where one could find solace, comfort, and healing for the body, mind, and soul.

What theme(s) does this collection include?

The themes I mostly use depict landscapes, animals, plants, seas, and rivers that hold cultural significance in my region. I also like to paint traditional spiritual stories, that include the moon and the stars.

Pink Colours

The Noongar Season 'Djilba' means spring time, it is represented by the colour pink as it symbolises growth of wildflowers and plants.

What’s your main inspiration for the artworks in this collection?

The main inspiration for the artworks in this collection is my Nana. She is a wise, resilient, and strong woman who plays a significant role in shaping my identity and connection to my Indigenous heritage.

Grandmother’s Country 4 & 5

These pieces represent my Grandmother's Country. It means so much to be able to paint my country, heavily focusing on the landscapes where my heritage lies, where my spirit is connected, where I have been born, where I am living. Feeling a sense of connection to the past, to my family, and to the land that has been our home for generations. I feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

How does your artwork help you connect to Culture?

My artwork is a powerful tool for me to connect with and celebrate my culture in a meaningful and authentic way. Creating contemporary Indigenous pieces allows me to explore and express my identity as an Indigenous artist. Through my art, I am able to reflect on and engage with the traditions, stories, and symbols of my culture, while also bringing a modern perspective to these themes.

Family

This piece depicts family and loved ones coming together to bond and connect. The rainbows represent family members and the circle represents a meeting place.

You have many pieces named for your Grandmother’s Country. Can you tell us why that is?

Naming pieces of art after my Grandmother's Country is a way for me to honour my family, culture, and heritage. I was born on Yued land, and my great grandfather was taken to the mission here. We have been in this area a very long time and the region I was born and live in is incredibly special to me.

Mika

Mika means 'Moon' in the Noongar language. In many Aboriginal cultures the moon represents a man and the sun, a woman. This piece represents my great grandfather and in light of learning more about him and the hardships he suffered from being an Aboriginal man.

You have many artistic styles. Can you tell us a bit about the different styles you paint in?

One style I often explore is dot painting, which is a traditional Aboriginal art form that involves creating intricate patterns using dots. This style is often used to depict Dreamtime stories, landscapes, and symbols.

I also enjoy exploring the use of painting flora, I often incorporate depictions of native Australian plants and flowers in my work. I am particularly drawn to the vibrant colours and unique shapes of Australian flora, and I enjoy capturing these elements in my paintings.

Waugal

Waugal means Rainbow Serpent in Noongar language. This piece depicts the story of the Rainbow Serpent, leading to the river being referred to as a dreaming track. To the Yued people they believed the serpent created the Moore river, moving from one waterhole to another. There is a common belief that the Waugal permanently resides in the deep river pools in the vicinity of the Moore river.

Shop the Collection

Jessica Begg: Desert Landscapes

Jess's collection is now available on polos, blouses, dresses, and more. Each of her artworks has a strong theme of family and pride in her native Yued lands. Each sale in this collection pays royalties to Jess, supporting her artistic career.

Steven holding his child smiling in front of a lake

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