Wanda Gibson is a Nukgal Wurra woman of the Guugu Yimithirr people (on her mum’s side) and lives in Hope Vale on the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Her dad is a Yuuethawarra man and his country is around Cape Melville. Both of Wanda’s parents were Stolen Generation and were brought to Cape Bedford Mission when they were ten or twelve. Wanda is a master weaver – she weaves baskets, birds and fish from dried grass. She is also a painter and completed a Diploma of Visual Arts at Cairns TAFE in 2014. Wanda has five kids, eleven grandkids and five great-grandkids.
Wanda talks to Cheryl about publishing her picture book, the influence of her childhood on her writing and illustrations, her connection to the Lutheran church, the impact the book has had on her and her family, and how her life has evolved over the years. Her debut, Three Dresses, is out now. Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight is sponsored by the Copyright Agency’s The Cultural Fund.
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