JOSHUA JAMES

Kaya (Hello), my name is Joshua James, I am a proud Noongar Wardandi man from Noongar Wardandi Gnaala Karla Boodja in Western Australia. I grew up and lived on Noongar Country until I was 20 years of age. At the age of 23, I moved to the Northern Territory where I lived on Larrakia Country for three years. I spent some time in remote Aboriginal communities including Tiwi Islands and Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Country. In 2015 I moved to Victoria to pursue my Australian Football endeavours. I now live on Gulidjan Country in the South-West of Victoria with my wife and two children Karda and Maali who have been given traditional Noongar names after their totems. 

I am an emerging artist with my inspiration for creating traditional and contemporary designs being to share my/our culture, our Aboriginal voice, truth telling and storytelling through my designs and art.  In May 2023 I created my own business called Joshua James Aboriginal Designs. I focus on original pieces in a range of mediums. 

My most proud moment was recently I had the honour of designing a piece for the AFL, which was worn by AFL Umpires across the Country for the 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round. This was called Moorditj Koondarm (Strong Dreams).