There is an incredible, ever growing array of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who have dedicated their lives to the creation of stunning pieces that not only inspire joy and emotional responses, but keep culture strong through the continuation of meaningful cultural practices. Each piece created by these remarkable groups and individuals expresses personal and shared stories, histories and traditions through contemporary interpretations of traditional techniques that have been used by the World’s oldest living cultures for thousands of years. If you love First Nations art in all of its’ diverse and evolving forms as much as we do, here are just a few artists, art centres and organisations you need to know!
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Brodie George is a proud Walmajarri woman and artist. Brodie is the visionary, owner and operator behind Kitikiti; a small, Aboriginal owned business dedicated to celebrating the wisdom and stories of Walmajarri culture through incredible beauty products and stunning artworks. Brodie’s intricate paintings are inspired by the spectacular landscape of Walmajarri Country, having grown up in Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley. The shapes, symbols and colours used beautifully reflect Brodie’s experiences in the vibrant region. Adorn your walls and bring your home to life with gorgeous Kitikiti paintings, or shop the stunning range of beauty products as the perfect gifts for your loved ones (or yourself!) with beautifully designed packaging and enriching ingredients inspired by the wisdom of the world’s oldest living cultures. |
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“The art centre is for people to come and learn, we learn (teach) new people from the community to make art the old ways. The art centre is good for community, not everyone is an artist or interested in learning the old ways. It’s important that we teach them so they can make baskets and dilly bags too. The old people left us this for the future.”- Annabel Amagula, Senior Anindilyakwa Artist.
Named after the language spoken by Warnumamalya (Indigenous people) belonging to the 14 clans of the Groote Archipelago, Anindilyakwa Arts is a community controlled organisation that supports over 100 local First Nations artists. Established in 2005, the growing organisation creates important opportunities for Traditional Custodians of the Groote Archipelago through the creation of sustainable and culturally safe employment. Anindilyakwa Arts allows artists to promote and sell their incredible creations, while promoting the preservation of cultural practices. Shop magnificent brolga carvings made from harvested renewable wood, hand carved and painted with earth pigments: red (meku), yellow (Gaŋgul) and black (gurrŋan). Or, decorate your home with bespoke ghost net baskets or a beautiful ceremonial boomerang, all created by Anindilyakwa Artists. |
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Rainy King
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“In 2012, I joined our local ceramics group and instantly fell in love. My passion for creating with clay has taken over my life and I converted my rusty old tin shed into a small studio. Working with clay directly connects me to the earth, and it brings me an inner peace. My inspirations are often from the land on which I live, native flora and fauna, family connections, my personal experiences and stories from my aunties and grandmothers. My dream for the future is to be able to encourage and support other Aboriginal women to engage in the arts as a way of connecting to culture and as an outlet for self expression and inner peace.” – Rainy King Rainy (Lorraine) King is a proud Weilwan woman living on Country in Coonamble NSW. Rainy is the talented artist and founder behind Rainy King Art.Rainy’s gorgeous painted coolamons are the perfect addition to any home, making a beautifully unique feature piece for your walls, or a stunning work of functional art to use in the home or the office. |
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Founded over two decades ago, Better World Arts is an incredible organisation working with communities across the world to create culturally appropriate opportunities for artists. Their spectacular range of artworks are bold and beloved celebrations of First Nations art and cross-cultural collaborations.
Their gorgeous range of rugs are the perfect example of this cross-cultural creation process. The vibrant designs are created by Aboriginal artists across Australia, each one representing their unique stories, cultures and homes. These artworks are then transformed into handmade rugs using traditional Kashmiri techniques including hand-dyed wool and intricate chain stitching. |
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Mick Harding
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“We are the first peoples of this land and have an ongoing responsibility to keep our culture alive and relevant in our current society. We belong to this land” – Mick Harding.
Mick Harding is a proud Taungwurrung Kulin man and the artist behind Ngarga Warendj – Dancing Wombat. Mick’s popular designs are beautiful and intricate interpretations of Aboriginal art in Victoria, using symbolism to share the stories and songlines of Mick’s Country and culture. The Ngarga Warendj range is an incredible way to incorporate First Nations designs in your everyday life, with a variety of gorgeous functional pieces. Cosy up with bold beanies, brighten work days with a gorgeous laptop bag and insulated water bottle or fill your home with gorgeous wooden serving boards and artefacts. |
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Aboriginal owned and operated not-for-profit Wathaurong Glass was formed in 1998 to support culture and community by expressing Aboriginal art through glass. As a not for profit, the Wathaurong community are the beneficiaries of all proceeds made by Wathaurong Glass.
Each piece is carefully created using a variety of skilled techniques including kiln forming (slumping glass) and sandblasting, with the outcome representing a beautiful culmination of traditional shapes and symbols in a contemporary form. The vibrant colours come to life in the sunlight, adding a stunning celebration of cultures to any room. Give your meals the introduction they deserve on one of these gorgeous serving platters you won’t want to put away. |
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Warlukurlangu Artists
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Established in 1985, Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit organisation that is 100% Aboriginal-owned by artists from the remote desert communities of Yuendumu and Nyirripi in Central Australia. Warlukurlangu means ‘belonging to fire’ in the local Warlpiri language, paying homage to a significant fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu.
Warulukurlangu Artists are recognised across the world for their vibrant acrylic paintings as seen on their gorgeous, one of a kind clapsticks. Their unique wallaby, dingo, camp dog and kangaroo sculptures are created through a meaningful collaboration with the Alice Springs prison and hand painted by Warlukurlangu Artists, making beautiful pieces that are sure to spread joy throughout your home. |
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Kathleen Buzzacott is a Pitjantjatjara artist, poet, designer and entrepreneur. Her Central Desert Dot Painting style celebrates her discovery and connection to her Indigenous heritage and shares stories of family, culture and community.
Kathleen and her siblings spent the early years of their childhood with their father and his family in Queensland before returning to the Central Australian Aboriginal Community of Hermannsburg, with her sister, and brother, to live with their mother and step-father. Her stunning works of art showcase her Country and fond memories of raising her children amidst the beauty and diversity of their land. Kathleen’s canvas works are printed on an array of gorgeous products, facilitating a spectacular celebration of First Nations art throughout your home and in your daily life. Shop vibrant homewares, stunning jewellery and beautiful water bottles featuring her designs. |
Kathleen Buzzacott |
Melanie Hava
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“I want people to look at my work and feel joy – if they’re having a bad day and they happen to see my work, that they’d feel a bit better” – Melanie Hava.
Melanie Hava is a Mamu woman from Dugul-barra and Wari-barra family groups in the Wet Tropics of Far-North Queensland. Melanie’s designs beautifully reflect the iconic reef and rainforest of the region combined with influence from her Austrian heritage. This combination of cultural influences to Melanie’s art creates spectacularly unique and playful designs, many of which are centred around a gorgeous array of marine life to represent the importance of kinship. Shop vibrant products featuring Melanie’s designs to brighten your every day, from beautiful water bottles to the perfect shopping bag or the cutest tealight candles. |
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BNYM Indigenous Designs was formed in 2001 by Sam Walker-Wilson, the late Mary Edwards, Shilo Van Sanden, Tweety Solomon and the late Aunty Jenny Solomon. BNYM stands for Bundjalung, Naragu, Yorta Yorta, and Muttie Muttie, representing the Nations of founding members. An Indigenous owned and managed not-for-profit, BNYM produces fine contemporary Aboriginal pottery and ceramics that showcase unique designs that incorporate contemporary cultural themes, cultural beliefs, spiritual awareness and individuality.
Shop beautiful decorative bowls, ceramic coolamons and ceramic bathtubs, hand painted by artists in residence Aunty Sam Walker Wilson and Joel Haddock to brighten your home. |
BNYM
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