The assessment panel considered Nicole’s work drew elegantly from her deep understanding and connection to Country and provided an insightful consideration to the theme of Home.

For Nicole: “Whilst on Country, I have been considering the complex stories behind these traditional materials that were transformed into everyday cultural belongings over such a long time. These natural materials connect us to nature and each other; the rituals surrounding their manufacturing; the collecting and foraging; the seasonal relocation to particular regions of home; the cultural burns; the grinding; and learning and knowledge transfer in the creation of a thriving lifestyle and connected community. How the materiality of an object was the starting point for it stretching out to these deeper facets of cultural upkeep fascinates me.

In considering this I asked myself: could this materiality and connection be integrated into the home of today? How can I keep my connection to country and express my culture and belonging within my belongings? I’m of mixed heritage, so I’ve been developing the ideas of a western table setting made from natural materials found on the journey to Wajarri Yamaji Country. And how this expresses the time and place I find myself today.”