Olive Joseph

“My father told us a story about the man in the moon. I loved that life, it's who I am. “

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.