J: Reconciliation Week is every week for me. As an Aboriginal woman, I live and breathe this work daily through my art, my family, my gallery and how I choose to walk in the world. But I see this week as a really positive opportunity to bring our culture, stories and voices into spaces they might not usually reach. It’s a time for connection, truth-telling, healing and most importantly, a time for taking action to create lasting change. It’s about paving the way for future generations to grow up feeling proud, safe and supported in their identity.

Over time, I hope Reconciliation Week continues to evolve into something even more meaningful; where awareness turns into accountability and reconciliation becomes part of everyday life. The goal is for all Australians to walk this journey together with respect, responsibility and a shared commitment for a better future.

A: This year’s theme is Bridging Now to Next. What does that idea of connecting past, present and future mean within your own story and your community’s story?

J: Bridging Now to Next speaks so deeply to the way we live and carry culture. In my world, time isn’t linear—it’s layered. The past, present and future all exist together. When I paint, I’m not just creating something new—I’m continuing something ancient. My brush is guided by the hands of my great-grandmother Minnie Pwerle, my grandmother Barbara Weir, and the women who came before them. Their stories, knowledge and spirit flow through me in every dot, line and track.

In my community this connection is everything. It’s how we preserve language, ceremony and land through art as visual archives. Every canvas becomes a map of who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going.

In my own life, this means holding that responsibility with care whilst also evolving as an artist and leader. I want to honour the old ways while creating new pathways forward. Whether it’s through international exhibitions, fashion collaborations or community projects, I always return to one thing: my role is to protect our story while helping it grow.

A: You come from a long line of incredible artists. How do you see art playing a role in truth-telling and cultural preservation for future generations?

J: Art has always been more than painting for my family; it’s how we tell stories, hold onto knowledge and stay
connected to who we are. I grew up watching my grandmother, aunties and father using art to speak truths that were never written down. It’s our way of preserving culture and making sure it continues.

For me, painting is about honouring those who came before me while creating something that can be held and passed down. Something that reminds our younger ones where they come from and the strength that they carry within them.

A: Your work often draws on spiritual and cultural ties to Atnwengerrp. How do you honour that connection when you paint?

J: When I paint I always come back to Atnwengerrp—it’s not just my Grandmother’s country, it’s part of who I am. I honour that connection by painting with intention from an aerial view and always with deep respect. I never create just for the sake of beauty. Every dot and every line holds meaning. Painting is a way for me to speak with my ancestors, to walk in their footsteps and to share the spirit of our country with others. I always remind myself that I’m just one part of a much bigger story.

A: Can you share a memory or teaching from your grandmother or great-grandmother that continues to guide your work today?

J: I’ll never forget the moment my grandmother said in an interview that her artwork was like a “talking map.” That line has stayed with me ever since. She was incredibly protective of our culture, our stories and our legacy. She was also tough on me, but in the best way.

It took years of me running Pwerle Gallery before she felt ready to pass down my Dreamtime story. She waited until I’d proven I was ready after spending time on country, learning from my nannas, participating in cultural practices such as witnessing Men’s Business and showing that I could carry the responsibility of looking after my family and community.

She taught me patience, consistency and that receiving a story is an honour not a right. I carry that lesson into everything that I do, from my business to my art. It’s about protecting what matters, walking with integrity and holding what’s passed down with the care it deserves.

A: In your view, what does real, meaningful reconciliation look like?

J: Real reconciliation means truly listening to our stories, our history and our lived experiences without defensiveness. It’s not just about acknowledgement—it’s about action, respect and long-term commitment. It looks like creating space for our voices at every level not just during one week of the year. It’s about shifting power, not just sharing it and ensuring our communities feel seen, safe and supported. For me meaningful reconciliation is when culture is genuinely valued; not just celebrated and when our young people grow up knowing the truth and feeling proud of who they are.

A: You’ve worked to bring Aboriginal voices to the global stage. What do you hope people take away when they engage with your work or visit Pwerle Gallery?

J: This year marks 10 years since we opened Pwerle Gallery and I’m so proud to say we’re the only privately owned Aboriginal art gallery in Australia that has never been government funded. That independence reflects the strength of our family and of our community.

When people visit our space in Adelaide they’re stepping into something real. They’re not just walking into a
gallery; they’re engaging directly with family, with four generations of cultural knowledge and with a legacy hat goes far beyond what’s on the walls.

We want every visitor to walk away having learned something new about Aboriginal culture and Dreaming stories and to feel comfortable enough to ask questions, to be curious and to connect. That human exchange is what keeps our culture strong and that’s what makes us different.

A: What advice would you give to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives who are just starting out in their practice?

J: Take your time. Learn your culture deeply, spend time on country and really listen to your elders - they carry the stories that will shape your path. Don’t rush. Creating from culture is a privilege and an honour, especially when you’re trusted to carry sacred stories. Stay in your own lane, trust your instincts and do what feels right for you. Your journey is unique and when you create from a place of truth it will always be powerful.

A: If there was one message you’d want people to carry with them beyond Reconciliation Week, what would it be?

J: That we deserve to be the voice for our own people and we’re more than capable of leading that conversation. Real change starts when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are not just included, but truly respected and prioritised.

Beyond Reconciliation Week, I hope people carry a sense of curiosity and responsibility to keep learning, to keep showing up and to support us in ways that are genuine. When we walk together with honesty, respect and understanding, the future becomes stronger or everyone.