Wodoi & Jungun
Wodoi & Jungun is a major new commission by senior Worrorra artist and cultural leader Leah Umbagai, premiering at the 2025 Fremantle Biennale. Centring renewal and continuation, Umbagai brings together sculpture, sound, story and dance from the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunambal (Mowanjum) peoples of the North-West Kimberley — reimagined through contemporary forms.
The work draws influence from the legacies of Umbagai’s grandfathers: the 25th anniversary of D. Woolagoodja’s Namaralay Wandjina sculpture, created for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and archival records of her great-grandfather, cultural leader and songmaker, S. Woolagoodjah. At the heart of the installation are a series of newly re-imagined dance poles. Activated by story and movement, the dance poles will be surrounded by a soundscape created by the artist and her son Folau Penaia, speaking to the enduring strength and vibrancy of culture across time and generations.
“This project is about Totem,” says Umbagai. “We dance with it — it tells the stories of our moieties and where we fit in our communities. It’s about passing that knowledge to the next generation and bringing it into the modern world.”
Date and Time
13-30 Nov (Thur-Sun)
11am-8pm
Location
Manjaree (Bathers Beach) Precinct
Entry
Free
Image Credit
S.Woolagoodjah. All images Courtesy Leah Umbagai.
Leah is a Culturally Senior Woddordda Woman of the Wanjina Uungud Peoples of the north-west Kimberley. Leah is a respected leader across arts, environment, health, language revitalization and cultural initiatives.
Elkin Umbagai (Leah’s paternal grandmother) had a big impact in the early stages of her life which embedded a seed of passion to continue her creative journey. Donny Woolagoodjah (grandfather) further influenced her passion creating a further gateway, as she was always around old people gaining knowledge and skills. Listening to stories of Law of the Country grounded her, forming the foundation and guidance for her to walk in two worlds. Teaching the significance of animals, traditions, customary ceremonies and preparing her to support the future of her people.
Experiencing her own walks, understanding how the teachings took place – from the animals to the caves – understanding the teachings and how it all became clear.
Leah explains “Our future is what we reap and sow it all happens in your dambeem (home). We can never keep our stories, skills, knowledge and language to ourselves it has to be shared (Wunan). The future has to grasp it and carry on the traditions as it holds the foundation to our paths.”
Leah paints, shares, teaches, reflecting her relationships to clan, country, moieties and dreams.
Leah’s work is keenly sought and represented in many collections throughout Australia and is in Art Gallery of Western Australia, Parliament House of Western Australia and WA Museum.
Manjaree (Bathers Beach Precinct)
Bathers beach, fremantle
More information coming soon…
More information coming soon…
More information coming soon…
