Deadly SIsta Girlz Art Exhibition
Bardip Koorliny (Stories Moving Through Time)
NAIDOC Week 3.07 to 10.07 | Central Park Tower, Perth CBD
Deadly Sista Girlz Bardip Koorliny is exhibiting emerging artists, alumni and established First Nations creatives from the Deadly Sista Girlz program in a showcase of identity, resilience and community.
In partnership with HIF, past and present Deadly Sista Girlz students, staff and alumni were invited to submit artworks for the opportunity to be featured in this year’s exhibition. Their works will be displayed alongside pieces from established First Nations artists connected to the program. All artworks will be available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the artists, supporting emerging and established First Nations creatives.

View the Current Deadly Sista Girlz Artworks
Over 40 DSG students from across Western Australia and Victoria submitted their artworks. Click below to view all the amazing pieces.

Humble Solitude
This painting reflects the connection between native, blue-banded bees and me. Both living in solitude and carrying strong female energy. The bees collect their own pollen independently while also protecting and sustaining nature. Through this resemblance, the artwork represents womanly independence, strength and the balance between respecting and caring for yourself and the world around you.
Dimensions: 46cm x 46cm
- Price: $600

Life’s Current
This piece signifies the connection between land and water. Each element coexists in harmony with one another through strong currents, waves and winds. The flowing patterns symbolise strength, resilience and the bond between all living things in the land and sea. All connecting through balance and nature.
Dimensions: 76cm x 56cm
- Price: $850

Gathering Circles
This artwork represents the strength of community, family and connection to Country. The meeting circles are linked through journey lines, showing people coming together to share stories, knowledge and culture across generations. The earthy tones reflect the land, warmth and the deep spirit of belonging that connects all people through Country and kinship.
- Price: $300

Journey Through the Blue Country
This artwork represents the strength of community, family and connection to Country. The meeting circles are linked through journey lines, showing people coming together to share stories, knowledge and culture across generations. The earthy tones reflect the land, warmth and the deep spirit of belonging that connects all people through Country and kinship.
- Price: $750

Many Paths, One Community
This artwork represents many families, stories and journeys connected through community. The colourful meeting places show people gathering to share knowledge, culture and friendship while the winding pathways symbolise the different roads we travel through life. Through each journey is unique, we remain connected through Country, culture and one another.
- Price: $250

Messenger of Water and Sky
This artwork tells the story of the dragonfly, a messenger of change that moves between water and sky. It guides people across Country, leading them to water and reminding them of balance, transformation and connection.
- Price: $500

Messenger of Rain
- Price: $250

Saltwater Traveller
This artwork tells the story of the sea turtle, a symbol of resilience, wisdom and journey. As it moves through saltwater Country, it carries knowledge across generations, connecting people, ocean and Country.
- Price: $500

Whispers on Butterfly Wings
This artwork tells the story of the bindi bindi, the butterfly, a gentle spirit that moves through Country carrying renewal, freedom and connection to ancestors. It reminds us of life’s cycles and the presence of loved ones guiding us.
- Price: $500

Koala
At first glance, koalas appear soft, gentle, and harmless. It’s fluffy ears and calm expression have made it a symbol of comfort and innocence. Yet beneath this gentle exterior is a remarkably resilient animal. Koalas are fiercely territorial, protective of their space, and possess a quiet determination that allows them to survive in some of the harshest environments.
This artwork explores the contrast between appearance and reality. The koala reminds us that strength does not always look fierce or intimidating. The eucalyptus leaves around the koala represent healing, renewal, and connection to Country. Together, they reflect the balance between vulnerability and strength. A reminder that gentleness and resilience can exist side by side.
- Price: $250

The Whale Shark
The whale shark represents wisdom, peace, and guidance. Despite being the largest fish in the ocean, it moves with grace and calmness rather than aggression. Its presence symbolises the power of moving through life with patience, confidence, and trust in one’s path.
Like the whale shark, true strength is not always loud. It can be found in steady perseverance, quiet confidence, and the ability to navigate challenges without losing your sense of self. The whale shark reminds us all, that even the largest and most powerful beings can embody gentleness, balance, and harmony.
- Price: $350

Derbal Yerrigan
Whadjuk country has become home to many from the Stolen Generations, with Aboriginal children forced to start a new life in a new country, away from familiar customs and traditions. Although this land may hold a lot of trauma, it has also become a place of healing. This is a journey of knowledge being passed down, and the healing that takes place as a result; the connections formed on Whadjuk, the different experiences of Aboriginal people over generations and the descendants of those stolen, piecing together their identity today. The two faces you see in the river are symbolic of people from far and near being welcomed by the land; Their stories continue, even if we don’t know them.
A2 digital print, bordered by white mat, in A1 black frame. Landscape Orientation 59.5cm x 84cm including frame
- Price: $250

Mob’s Health Matters
Intergenerational trauma perpetrates cultural disconnect, mental and physical health problems, as well as undue shame around these issues. ‘Mob’s Health Matters’ explores beyond the mainstream ideas of what ‘healthy’ looks like, physically and mentally. The white lines seen across the body draw inspiration from fluorescent strips on Hi-Vis uniforms which protect the wearer by increasing their visibility to others. When we increase awareness of mental health, invisible disabilities, amongst other challenges, people can see and support those dealing with them. The work also emphasises the importance of clean water, culturally safe spaces, bush foods, living sustainably, and helping mob to reconnect with culture and country.
A2 Digital Print, Bordered by White Mat, in A1 Wood Coloured Frame. Portrait Orientation 84cm x 59.5cm including frame
- Price: $250

Who are you?
‘Who are you?’ is a striking piece because it asks for self-reflection. When someone’s eyes are looking directly into yours, what do they see? We cannot simply be defined by a glance, assumptions formed in an instant. It takes time to live our journey and even longer to understand it. What stories exist beneath the surface? Who walked before you, and how do their lives impact yours? We are like rocks, built from layers of the past; the portrait’s face showcases this culmination of past, present and future through dimensions, colours, and symbols. What shines in your story? Who do you aspire to become, and who are you right now?
A2 digital print, bordered by white mat, in A1 black frame. Portrait Orientation 84cm x 59.5cm including frame
- Price: $250

Her artwork is inspired by the land, connection, and stories carried throughout generations within our songlines. Within her work, Tara Lee has included the seven sisters and the Wagl, both a connection between our land, skies and waterways, but most importantly, her story. Her art aims to express connection and the importance of keeping her family’s stories and culture alive.
- Price: $400

Resilience
Gemma’s piece is named Resilience as the portrait is of one of her DSG program participants. She has worked with this student since her commencement in Year 7, and the relationship we have is unbreakable.
She has had many obstacles and barriers within her school and personal life that she has overcome, as well as never losing her drive to always thrive for more. To me, this student is nothing less than inspiring to me and is a daily reminder of the power of resilience.
Digital Print
- Price: $250

The Lost Years
This artwork tells the story of Gemma’s Grandmother’s journey. Her Grandmother was a Jaru woman who was a stolen child at a very young age.
Turtle hatchlings first leave their nests and enter the ocean, where they spend several years in open waters, almost lost, drifting and growing. Gemma’s Grandmother was removed from Country and placed within an area that was far from home – this is where she settled and built her life, and where Gemma’s family get their Wheatbelt connections from.
The turtle has significant cultural importance to the people of the Kimberley, as they are a part of creation/ dreaming stories, connection to country, totem animals, as well as a traditional food source.
- Price: $300

Cellular
Cellular explores the invisible connections that bind all living things. Drawing inspiration from cellular structures, this work suggests that every individual is part of a larger ecosystem – an intricate web where everything and everyone is interconnected, one way or another.
- Price: $2,800

Formations
Like stone shaped over time, this work honours the strength of women, where each layer carries a memory, a challenge, and a moment of growth, woven into an ever-evolving story.
- Price: $1,100

Women’s Gathering
This artwork tells the story of women coming together in a place of strength, connection, and belonging. The circles represent the women gathered in yarning circles, sharing knowledge, stories, and experiences passed down through generations. The connecting lines show the bonds between them, symbolising support, encouragement, and unity.
As they gather, each woman brings her own journey, wisdom, and gifts. Together they create a strong network of care, empowering one another to overcome challenges, celebrate achievements, and nurture future generations. The flowing patterns represent the exchange of knowledge, culture, and respect, reminding us that when women stand together, they become stronger as individuals and as a community.
The artwork celebrates resilience, sisterhood, leadership, and the power of women uplifting women.
- Price: $3,000

Kopat (Everybody Together)
This piece represents the beauty, strength and grace of Myllie’s Torres Strait Islander culture – a rich and vibrant culture that is often overlooked beside the strong, beautiful and celebrated Aboriginal culture within this hidden corner of Western Australia. Yet it remains a proud and significant part of this country today alongside the Aboriginal community.
The centrepiece is a Dhari, which is a traditional headdress worn primarily by men for dances and ceremony. The white markings surrounding the Dhari symbolise the currents of the water that people had to travel through to get to other Islands and the mainland.
The small streaks of green and blue symbolise the Islands and the Ocean respectively. The red, orange, and yellow patterns reflect the strength, spirit, and deep traditions of Aboriginal culture, symbolising the earth, sun, and connection to Country.
The blue, green, and white patterns on the Dhari represent Torres Strait Islander culture and connection to the ocean. Blue symbolises the sea and sky, green represents the islands, and white reflects peace, spirituality, and unity.
The shark represents strength and protection, the turtle symbolises family and guidance, and the seagull represents travel and the journeys Torres Strait Islander peoples made across the sea between islands. The Shark and Seagull also represent Myllie’s family as it is their family totem. Totems are a sacred and spiritual connection to the ancestors, heritage, tribes and environment.
- Price: $700

Unity
This painting tells the story of two cultures connected by Country, Sea, and tradition. The whale shark in the centre represents Torres Strait Islander culture, symbolising strength, guidance, and the deep connection Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the ocean. As it moves between the patterns, it carries stories of travel, family, and life on the sea.
The bright circular designs around the whale shark represent Aboriginal culture. The warm orange, red, and yellow circle reflects the sun, the land, and the strength of Aboriginal peoples, while the cooler blue and green circle represents water, nature, and the connection between communities.
Together, these elements show how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are unique yet connected, sharing a deep respect for the land, sea, and the generations who came before them.
- Price: $350

Paths of Connection
This artwork tell the story of people, places and journeys coming together. The three large meeting places represent communities connected through shared knowledge, culture and relationships. The flowing lines between them represent pathways between different stages in life where different knowledge is presented. The white around this shows that these meeting places or different stages in life are sacred and protected.
The many circles surrounding the meeting places represent generations of knowledge that have been left behind by different people each carrying their own stories, experience and wisdom which leaves its mark engrained in the environment and shapes the way future generations are able to build themselves, learn and grow.
Each turtle is meant to represent a different person each with their own living spirit, being represented as turtles as they are sacred knowledge holders. They travel throughout the artwork with patience, guidance, protection and moving through life with their own destinations and intentions.
The vibrant blues, purples and pinks reflect the living spirit of the country and waterways that we are swimming through life in. Each of us surrounded by different influences. Together, the artwork celebrates how community, cultural identity and enduring bonds unite people across generations.
Reminding us that no matter where our journeys begin, we are connected through Country, culture and community. That our stories travel with us, stay within us, and ultimately guide future generations along the pathways of life.
- Price: $5,000

Waterways of Connection
This artwork is a visual story of connection – of people, places and the living veins that run through Country and connect us all. Each meeting place represents a different community connected by waterways. These communities are intertwined and it is the waterways that sustain us. Each dot that fills up the background speaks to the presence of life and water in every aspect around us, the water and dots carry rhythm and create ripples that expand outward when something touches them. This reminds us that water isn’t just a resource, it’s a lifeblood that’s nourishes land, shapes identity, carries culture and holds memory.
- Price: $2,300

Blind Kangaroo
A solitary kangaroo stands alone in a whirlwind of chaos and although the kangaroo has no eyes it has a clear pathway to its community/home. This reflects how spiritual connections can be just as strong as physical connections.
- Price: $2,000

Cokcatoo
A cockatoo on its journey through life surrounded by loved ones and exploring the world.
- Price: $500

Land and Waterways
This artwork shows the strength of women through sustaining life connections throughout land and waterways.
- Price: $1,000

