Montana Clause is part of the art center Martumili Artists.
Montana was born in Newman, her family home, in 2002. Here she attended both Newman Primary School and Newman Senior High School. Montana’s mother grew up in the area surrounding Jigalong, just east of Newman. Her father was born and raised in Wiluna, approximately 350 kilometres south of Newman. For this reason Montana has spent much time travelling between and staying in these areas with her six brothers and sisters. She also regularly travels between the six remote Aboriginal communities that Martumili Artists works with; Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong.
Montana began painting with Martumili Artists in 2009 at just eight years of age. In 2018 she began working with the group as an arts worker, assisting with various tasks around the art centre, and assisting with field trips out on Country.
She is a great role model for younger kids and is proud to be passing on her own cultural traditions and practices. She enjoys going out on Country and helping old people and watching them paint their Country.
Selected Exhibitions:
- 2023 – Le Chant Aborigène des Sept Soeurs, IDAIA, Paris, France
SOURCE: Martumili Artists