Cecilia Umbagai
Mowanjum Art and Culture CentreCecilia (Wadjlula) is a Worrorra woman and was born in Derby in the West Kimberley of Western Australia. She grew up most of her life in the community of Mowanjum and is the second oldest of her brothers and sisters. Cecilia has been painting for as long as she can remember. She has been working at the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre since 2014.
Cecilia is the recipient of the 2020 Telstra NATSIAA Emerging Artist Award. The Judges commented on her work: ‘With its bold colour and dynamic mark-making this painting embodies confidence beyond the artist’s years in its portrayal of the power and the importance of the Wandjina. Cecilia shows great respect and inspiring potential as she follows in the footsteps of her elders to continue the long tradition of bark painting using natural pigments in the Kimberley. This painting demonstrates the unique style, ability and sensibility of this exciting emerging artist, bringing new life to ancient stories.’
In 2019 and 2018, Cecilia was selected in the 25Under25 Art Award by the City of Fremantle with her work being displayed at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery in Fremantle. In 2015, Cecilia won the Kimberley Photographic Award Shire of Derby / West Kimberley in the youth category for her image titled ‘Hunting Food’.