Olive Joseph 

Artist Bio:  

My name is Olive Joseph. I was born in Geraldton in 1967. My mother is a Noongar/Yamatji woman and my father is a Martu/Wongi man. My stepfather was Croatian. I speak a little bit of Martu Wangka, when the old people speak it I can understand them.  

I came to Port Hedland with my Mother when I was one, and I've lived here ever since. I have a strong connection to this place and the Pilbara. I love the people here. I love being able to go fishing here, camping, hunting. My Grandmother on my Mum's side used to do bark painting; my other Grandmother on my Dad's side carved emu eggs. My Father did this all his life. I first started painting when I went to Broome for a holiday with my 3 eldest children. I had no fare to get home, so my uncle gave me a canvas. I asked him 'what's this for?' and he told me to paint something to sell so that I could go home. I continue to paint today because I love it, it's a big part of who I am, it's in my heart. 

Scrunchie Artwork Title: Wreath Wildflowers 

Scrunchie Artwork Story: 

This is our wildflowers we call Wreaths in my Mothers Country in Mullewa area. When they flower (bloom) we couldn't wait to see them along our Mullewa Country side. 

Scrunchie Artwork Title: Everlastings 

Scrunchie Artwork Story: 

We used to go with grandma to the fields in Mullewa when the Everlastings were blooming. I used to pick the yellow and pink ones to put on our families graves to refresh them. I used to do that with my grandmother, we would bring some back to her because she loved them. The entire landscape was carpeted in them, it was beautiful.