Serena Bonson

Serena Bonson

Biography

Born in Miwirnbi, Serena Bonson lives and works in Manigrida community in the Northern Territory. Her heritage is of Djowinge moiety, the Djinang language group and she is part of the Murrungun clan. Bonson has quickly become known for her striking carvings in stringybark painted in black and white to depict the Wangarra spirits. The Wangarra play a key role in the stories of Bonson’s community relating to death, birth and the transition of the spirit into the afterlife, and in rebirth. They are considered indicative of ancestral beings and deeply connected to the waterholes that are central to the stories of the clan and their connections to land.

Community

Maningrida

Outstation

Miwirnbi

Subsection

Maningrida

Date of birth

1980-01-23

Clan

Murrungun

Artworks for sale

Past Exhibitions

Solo

  • 2015
    WangarraALASKA Projects, Sydney, NSW

Group

  • 2024
    Sydney ContemporaryMichael Reid Gallery, Sydney NSW
  • 2024
    WarraburnburnHugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide SA
  • 2023
    Sydney ContemporaryMichael Reid Gallery, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Maningrida ArtsMichael Reid Southern Highlands, Berrima NSW
  • 2023
    Delek & Kunyirrke (White Clay & Charcoal)Agency Projects, Collingwood, VIC
  • 2022
    InfinitiesGoulburn Regional Art Gallery
  • 2022
    2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art ‘Free/State’Art Gallery of South Australia
  • 2020
    InfinitiesGoulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
  • 2020
    Maningrida Arts & CultureMichael Reid, Sydney, NSW
  • 2020
    RESILIENCE: The power of the past today – ManingridaAboriginal Signature Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, BELGUIM
  • 2019
    Tarnanthi Art FairTandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, Adelaide
  • 2019
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2019AGSA
  • 2018
    From Coast to Escarpment: Spirit Worlds of ManingridaMichael Reid, Sydney, NSW
  • 2014
    Four Spirits from ManingridaFireWorks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD

Collections

  • Artbank, Sydney, Australia