LARA FUJII | 'Ama' | Acrylic on canvas

Badu Islander Lara Fujii blends family stories with natural elements to create acclaimed cultural artwork. Lara is from the Argan Tribe in the Torres Strait and recognises the Thupmal (golden horn stingray) as her Totem.

Lara has showcased her work at Australian museums as well as the NorthSite Contemporary Art, Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island, and exhibited work at UMI Arts in Cairns. Her work on canvas resonated strongly with visitors of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and it went on to win the 2022 People’s Choice Award.

"Ama, Apu, Mother is the basket of our family, she nurtures you from birth till she is no longer with us, she is the strength and bearer of our people, a person who is highly respected and loved, for we her children will always Carry the Life line she has blessed us with to give us life within her womb Maitha kupai ( belly button) something we will always be a part of our bodies, for she is the owner, the Life line to us. Just like Mother nature a personification of nature that focuses on life's giving and nurturing aspects of nature embodying it into a form of Mother.

We must respect our Ama alongside Ama Nature because of them we live."