Who am I
My name is Jodie Stewart, and I am a proud Traditional Owner and Aboriginal Elder within the Kiama Local Government Area.
​
I was born in Kiama and raised in Gerringong, where I continue to live and care for Dharawal Country — the land of my ancestors and the place that holds my heart.
​
I am a Saltwater Woman and a descendant of the WodiWodi people of the Dharawal Nation and the Walbunja people of the Yuin Nation. My identity is deeply grounded in the stories, strength, and spirit of my people.
In 2022, I was humbled to receive the Aboriginal Elder of the Year award at the NAIDOC Awards, representing the Illawarra, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven regions.
​
For over 40 years, I have expressed my cultural knowledge and lived experience through contemporary Aboriginal art. My work is a reflection of deep listening, cultural pride, and connection to Country, created with the intention to honour, share, and preserve our heritage.
I have contributed to many significant public and community projects, working in ways that are guided by respect, responsibility, and relationships.
​
My journey is one of continuing to walk in culture, to nurture community, and to share stories that strengthen identity and belonging for generations to come.
"On Country – Where the Mountains Meet the Sea"
Featuring the Whale and Black Cockatoo, this powerful piece reflects the deep cultural connections of the Dharawal and Yuin Nations to Country, community, and the ocean’s enduring gifts.
About the Artwork
This artwork honours the deep cultural, spiritual, and geographical connections between land, sea, people, and totems across the South Coast of New South Wales.
​
The painting features four distinct circles representing the local government areas of Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong, and Shoalhaven. At the centre is a white plain circle symbolising a shared space for gathering, ceremony, and celebration — a place where communities come together in unity and respect.
​
The Whale ("Birri Birri"), totem of the Kiama, Shellharbour, and Wollongong areas, moves gracefully across the canvas, symbolising strength, guidance, and deep connection to the saltwater.
The Black Cockatoo, the totem for Shoalhaven and a symbol for "camping" or "Nowra", is also present — representing movement, belonging, and the continuation of cultural knowledge.
​
The colour palette reflects the ocean that sustains and nurtures the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal Nation, whose relationship with the sea remains strong through the continued practice of gathering and caring for Country.
​
This artwork is both a cultural map and a living story — a visual reminder that we are always On Country, and that our totems, stories, and spirit remain present in the land, sea, and sky.
Artworks
