Noelia, Gabriella – we are nearly rhyming this month with our features. It’s going to be one of those magical nights at Poetica Petit at Woollahra Gallery where we hear new words, new music and new voices. A night of firsts. Noelia Ramon has been a Poetica attendee for some time and it brings us great joy to be able to host the pre-launch of her first book The Man in the Photograph — the first of many, she hopes — published by 5 Islands Press. Gabriella Mordecai first performed at Poetica’s Bob Dylan tribute in February 2020 when she sang a duet with her father. Gabriella was 16 at the time and her performance was unquestionably an audience favourite. I am so thrilled to host her first solo performance at Poetica. And of course there’ll be wine and cheese and kombucha and an open mic section. See you there!

Tickets can be found here: https://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/Events/Eventbrite/Poetica-Petit-Poetry-Night-1112224456289

Plus – if you’re interested in joining Miriam’s poetry workshop on March 7 – booking link is here: https://events.humanitix.com/poems-as-prompts-writing-workshop-4

BIOS

Noelia Ramon is a journalist, poet, photographer and filmmaker—a storyteller who weaves poetry, image and prose into a singular, evocative language. Her journey began in TV news and documentary films, where she first learned the power of storytelling—a path that took her from Barcelona to London and finally to Sydney, her adopted home. Born and raised in a small town in the Canary Islands, Spain, Noelia has called Australia home for many years, and in Sydney, poetry became her true language. Her work is deeply introspective, tracing fleeting moments, strangers and the beauty of the human experience. Through text, photography and design, she blends abstraction, observation and emotion, creating a space where readers can find themselves reflected in the rhythm of everyday life.

In The Man in the Photograph, Noelia Ramon captures these fragments of time with poetic precision. It’s layered and deeply intentional in its design, inviting you on an immersive journey through Sydney’s streets, where every footstep carries a story, and every silence holds meaning. More than a collection of words and images, this book is an intricate visual-poetic experience—one that invites you to slow down, observe and rediscover the world through a lens of wonder. It is, at its heart, an offering. A safe space. A mirror. A set of moments held still, just long enough for you to step inside.

Gabriella Mordecai is a Sydney-based, US-born singer-songwriter. With over a decade of singing and song-writing experience, her unique style blends contemporary folk, chamber pop, and indie influences, creating a sound that is both intimate and powerful. Her pensive lyrics focus on universal emotions and themes such as loneliness, longing, connection and empowerment. Gabriella uses much of her music to raise awareness about mental health struggles and to support healing and resilience in those facing these challenges. Currently studying music and social work, Gabriella is dedicated to combining her passion for music with her commitment to social justice and mental health advocacy.