Bio

b.1981, Noongar (Subiaco), Western Australia

Nicole Monks is a multi-disciplinary creative of Yamaji Wajarri,Dutch and English heritage living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country (Newcastle). Monks’s practice is informed by her cross-cultural identity, using storytelling as a way to connect the past with the present and future. Her works take a conceptual approach that are embedded with narratives and aim to promote conversation and connection.

An award-winning designer and artist, Monks crosses disciplines to work with furniture and objects, textiles, video, installation and performance. Across these varied forms of contemporary art and design, her work reflects Aboriginal philosophies of sustainability, innovation and collaboration. Monks is well known for her success as a solo and collaborative artist and founder of design practice blackandwhite creative as well as public art company mili mili.

Monks currently sits on the UNSW Galleries Board, the Advisory Council for the UNSW School of Art, Design and Architecture, and the Design Advisory Panel for the Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS). Monks was the winner of UNSW Art & Design Indigenous Professional Development Award, ArtsNSW Aboriginal Design Grant, Vivid Design competition (furniture) and Sydney Design Award (Textile and Surface Design). Monks works are collected nationally including the Powerhouse, Museum of Applied Arts and Science (MAAS) and National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of WA, Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie.