Peta-Joy Williams

My name is Alison Simpson (yalidyan – my Wiradjuri name). I am a Wiradjuri woman from central NSW as well as Wemba Wemba from northwest VIC and am culturally connected to many other places. I currently live and work on Djiriganj & Thaua countries within the Yuin nation where I have done so on and off over the past 25 years.

I commenced my artistic journey in 2013 where I started painting for therapeutic reasons and have done so in my spare time ever since. I have a brother and sister who are also Aboriginal artists. My artworks are considered as contemporary, and I generally use acrylic paints on canvas. My artworks are often quite bright using an array of different colours.

The inspiration for the narratives I create through my artworks come from the landscape, environment or surroundings which I am in, the people I am with and the experiences I encounter.

I grew up in Cairns, Far North Queensland from the age of eight years old. My background includes Aboriginal from the Jirrabal tribe of the Surrounding Cairns region, Torres strait island descendance from the Wagedoegam tribe of Mabuiag Island as well as Ngapuhi from New Zealand. My Torres Strait Island Totems are Crocodile, Snake, Stonefish and Remora. My Aboriginal Totem is Dingo.

2006 is when I started to take my art practice seriously and began experimenting with various mediums including pencil, pastels and acrylic paint I now do the majority of my artwork digitally.

I love to create depth and dimensions with colours and size differences, I use an abundance of detail and intricate patterns, but I also like to balance out my artwork with emptiness and quiet. My motifs and circular patterns are a unique combination drawn from my three Indigenous heritages.

Joel Sam is a contemporary Indigenous artist residing in Cairns. He is a direct descendant of the clans of Saibai Island where he spent his early years before moving to Bamaga to complete high school, the place he calls home. His work explores his personal engagement with Torres Strait Island culture and family stories through the processes of printmaking and sculpture.

The use of traditional clan Minarel (pattern) embedded within his images is characteristic of Joel’s work. Totemic designs include Umai (dog), Koedal (crocodile), Baydham (shark), Waru (turtle) and Samu (cassowary) connected through ancient familial bonds. Often interwoven, these designs allow Joel to express a more intricate visual language representative of the complexities of his Saibai Island heritage.

Karla McGrady is a Gamilaraay woman, born and raised in Tenterfield NSW, her artwork reflects on stories and lessons learned throughout her life. Her work is inspired by her love of art and storytelling, encouraged by her family members that she would often spend hours sitting and watching them paint and draw. Her work often incorporates vibrant colours or earthy tones that help describe each individual story in a way that only she can tell it.

I am a Menang/Gnudju artist born and raised on Noongar boodjah (land) I am located in south west of Australia and currently reside in Albany WA. I have been painting for about 2 years now. I paint contemporary styles using my cultural knowledge to educate and share stories. I use art as a platform to advocate about issues I am passionate about.

My family has suffered from government policies so I want to raise awareness around the issues my mob face today due to inter generational trauma. I also hope to inspire other mob to paint and embrace their culture as it is vital for us to have a cultural identity in our communities.

Painting has brought so many positive opportunities into my life and I hope through my art everyone can learn something to watch my journey follow me on Instagram @kwaboriginalartist or Facebook @Kiya Watt- Aborginal artist

I am Leah. I am an Aboriginal woman born in Canberra, ACT. My mob are Kamilaroi from my Grandmothers country in the Gunnedah region. I am a self-taught Contemporary Aboriginal Artist and began painting at a very young age. I have been painting in a professional capacity for over 7 years.

"Art is such an important platform to share my culture with the wider community. My art is like a 'visual yarn', people really connect with the stories and meaning behind the work".

A great deal of my artistic vision and inspiration comes from the changing landscapes in my home town, on country and from my journeys to ocean country and beyond. I use layers of fine dotting, line work, colour gradients, Aboriginal symbolism and my signature style of 'cracked earth' landscape throughout my paintings. Kamilaroi country is often dry and cracked, but rich and deep in history, culture and story as represented by the space in between the cracked earth. I pay great attention to detail, natural patterns, light, shade and texture in the landscape.

My paintings often work between two perspectives; landscape and birds-eye view. Through a birds-eye view, I generally map the journeys in which I take, along with my ancestral and cultural ties. As I learn more about my culture and discover my ancestors’ footprints in the landscape, I feel the urge to paint my story, my sense of place.