(Care Together, Strong Together, 2025)
505x691cm
Collaboration with Taring Padi, Sharyn Egan, Ilona McGuire, Yabini Kickett, and Tyrown Waigana for the Art Gallery of Western Australia
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Image credit: Aaron Claringbold, courtesy of Perth Festival.
Commission for Perth Festival 2025
Executive Producer/Creative Lead, Ilona McGuire
Animator/Art Director, Tracey Kim
Sound Design/Composition, Envelope Audio
Commissioned by Law Society WA for the Old Courthouse Museum permanent exhibition
Full animation release in 2027
Design and Choreography, Ilona McGuire
Narration, Mitchell Walley
Script, Cass Lynch & Ilona McGuire
Sound Design/Composition, Envelope Audio
Commissioned by First Lights/Fremantle Biennale
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Design and Choreography, Ilona McGuire
Narration and Vocals, Ilona McGuire
Script, Ilona & Walter McGuire
Sound Design/Composition, Envelope Audio
Commissioned by First Lights/Fremantle Biennale
More info
Directed by Luna Laure
Commissioned and Produced by First Lights/Fremantle Biennale
Directed by Luna Laure
Commissioned and Produced by First Lights/Fremantle Biennale
ilona@ilonamcguire.com.au
@ilonamcguire_
Ilona’s recent large scale works such as Karla Bidi (2025 & 2026), Moombaki (2021), Kooranup: Wadjemup (2023) and Kwejuk Nyitting (2025) have combined ancestral stories with new technologies such as animation, drone light experiences, and sound sculptures. Ilona's creative direction continues to open spaces that invite viewers to experience the innovation of ancient culture, whilst also reclaiming space and time for contemplation of shared histories.
Ilona continues to explore expressions through mixed-medium installations and ephemeral work as well as performance, social practice and collaboration.
Following her drone light show, Moombaki at the Fremantle Biennale’s 2021 festival CROSSING 21, Ilona was awarded the Schenberg Art Fellowship for Hatched: National Graduate Show (PICA) in her BA Fine Art graduating year. Going on to exhibit at Stala Contemporary, Fremantle Arts Centre, The National 4: Australian Art Now (2023), John Curtin Gallery, Cool Change Contemporary and creating a sequel light show for Moombaki, Kooranup: Wadjemup for the 2023 Fremantle Biennale festival SIGNALS 23. Ilona’s work now features in collections such as Janet Holmes à Court’s and the John Curtin Gallery.
Thompson Rivers University, Canada
Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia
2026 - Current
Project Officer (Aboriginal Performance)
Dept. Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport
2024 - 2026
Creative Director
First Lights
2022 - Ongoing
Artistic Associate
Fremantle Biennale
2021 - 2024
Indelible Marks, Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore (2025)
Residency Exhibition, Cool Change Contemporary (2024)
Nih! Yeyi Yorga Waangkiny, Fremantle Arts Centre WA (2022)
The National 4: Australian Art Now NSW (2023)
John Stringer Prize, John Curtin Gallery WA (2023)
You’re (Not) Wanjoo, Moores Building Fremantle WA (2023)
New Moves, Stala Contemporary, WA (2022)
Hatched:National Graduate Show, PICA, WA (2021)
Residencies
Carnamah, W.A. (2025), SPACED
Makassar, South Sulawesi ID (2025), Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Goolugatup Heathcote Noongar Residency (2024)
Cool Change Contemporary Residency (2024)
Volunteer
Board Member, Tjudah Aboriginal Corporation (Current)
Board Member, Art On The Move (Current)
Board Member, Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Corporation (Current)
Board Member, Good Fund Freo (Current)
Board Member, Artist Advisory for Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (23/24)
Revealed Selection Panelist (2026)
First Lights Projects
Moortabiny (Kaarkatup, Kings Park, WA), 2026
Kinjarling (Albany ANZAC Peace Park, WA), 2026
Bunggaliyarra Munggu (Hearson Cove, Burrup Hub, WA), 2025
Winthu Wangga (Geraldton Foreshore, WA), 2024
Matariki (ARONUI Indigenous Art Festival, Rotorua, NZ), 2024
Kooranup - Wadjemup (Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, WA), 2023
Buungbaa-ma-ndhu (Ngununggula, Southern Highlands, NSW), 2023
Cowaramup (Gracetown, WA), 2023
Boodja Dwordak Wirn (Kepa Kurl, Esperance, WA), 2023