Lillian Joshua

Lillian is an artist and weaver at Numbulwar Numburindi Arts and has lived most of her life in Numbulwar with her family. She was a strong advocate for the development of an art centre in Numbulwar, having graduated from Bachelor College (Art and Craft Certificate 2) and visited other art centres including Injalak Arts in Gunbalanya, East Arnhem land.

Lillian’s art practice embraces multiple mediums and she works alongside her partner Ivan Ngalmi who is also a trained artist and painter. A champion of fibre art, Lillian often works with the found materials that her ranger son collects and brings to the art centre.  Influenced by the weaving practices of other women in the Numbulwar community, Lillian transforms what she calls Marine Killers (abandoned ghost nets and shade cloth) into innovative pieces of contemporary woven art in her own distinctive style.

Lillian often advocates how the creative practices of Nunggayinbala artists strengthen connection to Country – “I always think about what my dad said to us – Look after the land, and the land will look after you. That’s what he said to us.”

“My son is a sea ranger.  He picks the ghost nets up and brings them to the old ladies to use with their weaving, saving marine life, as they are dangerous for animals like turtles and seals.” – Lillian Joshua

In addition to her art practice, Lilian also works as a teaching assistant at Numbulwar.