Simone Maree Arnol
Gimuy / Cairns, Qld
"Yalma, rather than a weapon, is ceremonial. Country is not just nature, for Bama [people] it is home.
Bama never knew of pity and regret, only to be grounded and to be consumed by lore, to lay foundation and to maintain survival of a pure race, with concepts and ways that must be respected by those who come later."
The subject in the image is songline custodian David Mundraby, an Elder of the Yidinji Mandingalbay and keeper of the Law and Song. He holds Yalma to signify that culture is his religion and Yalma is his cross.
About the Artist
Simone Maree Arnol is a multidisciplinary artist and curator with a practice spanning painting, photography and fashion design. Descending from the Gunggandji peoples (Yarrabah) through her father, Simone uses this strong connection to family and Country as a foundation for her art.
�Keeping it grassroots while respecting the Elders, the keepers of knowledge.�
This deep underlying passion is reflected in all of Simone�s works. Inspired by the many Elders, children and all the Traditional Owners who have been a part of her life through her career in Indigenous Law and Native Title, she continues to expand herself as a developing artist.
Simone has been showcased at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair�s Fashion Performance for the last five years and co-curated this premier event for the last three years. In 2017, Simone was the first Indigenous designer at the Australian Eco Fashion Week in Boorloo / Perth. In 2021, Simone was announced the winner of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) � Environmental and Sustainability contribution category. She is a first-time finalist in the 2022 Telstra NATSIAA.
