Ilona McGuire & Zali Morgan in Carnamah
Artist: Ilona McGuire (she/her) and Zali Morgan (she/her), WA
Work: In progress
Location: Carnamah, Western Australia
Community partner: North Midlands Project
About the Artists:
Ilona McGuire is a multidisciplinary artist of Bibbulmun Noongar and Kungarakan lineage. She is deeply fascinated by the social impacts of the Australian colony on both Indigenous peoples and whoever calls Australia home. To stir understanding of the humanity of the dehumanised, Ilona observes our shared histories through the intergenerational stories of her family. She does this in an attempt to recover, reenergise and reimagine conversation that might encourage some and inform others, whilst some will remain indifferent. Ilona continues to explore mixed-medium installation, drawing, performance and social practice as reclamation of space and time for joy and celebration as resistance to colonial anguish.
Following her light show, Moombaki at the Fremantle Biennale’s 2021 festival CROSSING 21, Ilona was awarded the Schenberg Art Fellowship for Hatched (PICA) in her BA Fine Art graduating year. She went on to exhibit at Stala Contemporary, Fremantle Arts Centre, The National 4: Australian Art Now (2022), John Curtin Gallery, Cool Change Contemporary and creating a sequel light show for Moombaki, Kooranup for the 2023 Fremantle Biennale festival SIGNALS 23. Ilona’s work now features in collections including Janet Holmes à Court’s and John Curtin Gallery.
Zali Morgan is a Noongar woman with ancestral connections to Whadjuk, Balladong, and Wilman Boodjar, born and raised near Wooditchup on Wardandi Boodjar, now based near Boorloo. Morgan’s multidisciplinary practice spans printmaking, textiles, sculpture, curating, and writing.
Often questioning notions of place, Morgan’s practice engages with decolonial art and discourse within Australia through both figurative and abstract representations of her surroundings and history. Morgan looks at iconic buildings and spaces within Boorloo and the Noongar region and attempts to uncover their significance for the Noongar people and challenge colonial ideologies tied to Australia's language. Zali Morgan has exhibited extensively including winning the City of South Perth Emerging Art Prize and in major institutions in Perth and beyond.
About the community parter:
North Midlands Project is a not-for-profit arts, culture and heritage organisation working towards regional Western Australia to be known for its happy, healthy communities and vibrant, creative, and connected towns. The project delivers high-quality and engaging arts experiences across Amangu, Badymia, Widi and Yued country in Carnamah, Coorow, Eneabba, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, and Three Springs. Its key facilities include The Bank Gallery, multipurpose creative space The Exchange and dedicated artist accommodation in Carnamah, as well as The Exchange+Gallery in Mingenew.
Ilona McGuire, Holy Ground, live performance, 2022, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photograph: Daniel James Grant
Zali Morgan, A Resting Mess, collaborative performace, 2024, 10 Nights In Port, Old Customs House. Photograph: Rebecca Mansell
