Matilda Nona, Pisurr Au Noera 1, 2025, mono print.

As the inaugural recipient of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s CATAPULT professional development program, BUPUNGU (From the Bush) is a collection of work by Matilda Nona as a result of her NorthSite Contemporary Arts residency, working alongside master printmaker Dian Darmansjah.

Inspired by her father, a traditional wood carver, Nona first explored lino carving before embarking on a groundbreaking journey creating her own signature inks from natural ochres, plant extracts, and mangrove bark sourced from her homeland.

Under the mentorship of Mr Darmansjah, Nona honed her traditional lino-printing skills while innovating with these inks crafted from natural materials. This process involves fermenting mango juice, ochre, and charcoal from her Torres Strait homelands, creating organic inks that bring her cultural narratives to life on paper.