SEASHELLS

Artist: Eden Jamieson

Language group: Minjungbal (NSW)

Ink on paper, 2017

Story:

Eden’s biggest inspiration is the ocean and it’s amazing creatures. Seashells signifies the beautiful array of shells that can be found along the shorelines of the coast. The artwork also represents a memory in which she would collect washed up things as a child while wandering along the beach

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

SPIRIT OF BINING

Artist: Eden Jamieson

Language group: Minjungbal (NSW)

Ink on paper, 2016

Story:

This artwork represents the ancient sea turtle and its journey travelled in and out of the various current of the ocean. The inner turtle represents it’s skeleton; the outer turtle embodies the various currents it has travelled through over many years. Although the turtle is ever-travelling, it always returns to the same place; as if migrating..

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

ROCKPOOLS

Artist: Nathan Patterson

Language group: Wagiman (NT)

Acrylic on canvas, 2016

Story:

The original artwork symbolises Nathan’s families strong connection to the salt water. This painting represents the coastline, and symbolises the rockpools which he visits with his family to connect the back to the saltwater.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

DREAMTIME

Artist: Marou Wing

Language group: Noongar (WA)

Acrylic on canvas, 2014

Story:

This artwork tells an important family story. Dreamtime focuses on the travels of his ancestors and the significant sites that they passed. Specific information about the journey is hidden in certain dot forms marked with certain colours. The minimal depiction in this particular work conveys the distance between landmarks and important places.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

ANKERRE JUKURRPA (EMU DREAMING) – FEATHERS

Artist: Raymond Walters Japanangka

Language group: Anmatyerre / Alyawarre (NT)

Acrylic on canvas, 2017

Story:

During the Jukurrpa (Dreamtime) many Ankerre (Emu) travelled across the Central Australian region from the Western Desert to the East, many of them perished, leaving behind significant sites and stories.

During their long journey one of the Ankerre went searching for food, a bush tucker, called Kutjuta (Bush Tomato). The Ankerre came across an old Ahltora (Bush Turkey) in Ngarleyekwerleng grass plains, my Grandfathers country. The Ankerre asked the Ahltora if he had any Kutjuta, the Ahltora replied that he had only dry, tasteless bush tucker. The Ankerre was too tired to travel and so he stayed around, waiting for the Ahltora to wander away. When the Ahltora flew away in the evening the Ankerre searched the area where he had seen the Ahltora earlier. As he walked around he came across a big tree and behind the tree was a deep trench filled with bush tucker, Kutjuta.

The Ankerre tasted one of the Kutjuta and it was sweet and tasty. The Ahltora returned and found the Ankerre eating his hidden store of Kutjuta. They started to argue and began to fight. The Ankerre tried to hit the Ahltora with his wing and missed, hitting and splitting a Kutjuta and spreading the rest around, creating Ngarleyekwerleng.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

STRENGTH THROUGH LANGUAGE

Artist: Raymond Walters Japanangka

Language group: Anmatyerre / Alyawarre (NT)

Acrylic on canvas, 2017

Story:

This artwork depicts the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages trough Raymond’s totem animal, the Emu.

The Emu is a strong leader which connects the people, listening to languages, while nurturing sacred songlines and ceremonies across the land. The Emus travel through country where the ancient languages breathe with mother earth, giving energy and strength to all life.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

GUDURR'KU

Artist: Jo Bayalawuy Thorne

Language group: Yolngu Matha (NT)

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

“The brolga is a significant totem for my family in North East Arnhem Land. The brolga (Gudurr'ku) belongs to two clans - The Rirratjingu and Datiwuy clans. The original painting represents the "flight of the brolga" that is performed in dance rituals during ceremonies and funerals.”

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

LANGUAGE CONNECTION

Artist: Jo Bayalawuy Thorne

Language group: Yolngu Matha (NT)

Acrylic on canvas, 2017

Story:

Our language is an essential component of our culture, and the essence of our existence. This painting incorporates the waterholes, landscapes, and our intricate kinship systems and cultural lore.

Without water, how do we survive? Without our language and culture, how will our people survive? Jo’s artwork captures the importance of language preservation for future generations, so that our young people grow up with a strong sense of culture.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

HER OPAL SPIRITS

Artist: Geoff Sellman

Language group: Goreng Goreng (QLD)

Synthetic polymer on Belgian linen, 2018

© Copyright Agency

Story:

The inspiration for this artwork acknowledges Geoff’s late Aunty Vi from the Bunda tribe.

She spent many years digging for opals in the earth and rocks across Australia. When Vi passed away, she wished to return to the ground alongside her opals, which were a strong part of her connection to the country. Geoff wanted to suggest this story in the colours and textures that are evident in Her Opal Spirits, and share a humble appreciation of living simply.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

OUR COUNTRY - MOTHER EARTH

Artist: John Smith Gumbula

Language group: Wakka Wakka

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

The native animals of Australia have an important spiritual connection to our people and country. In Ancient times, Aboriginal people across Australia passed down the sacred creation stories of our Mother: the land.

All living things are shared through dance, song, the arts and ceremonies of traditional lore. Raw pigments, ochres, and indigenous materials were used by our ancestors in creating the traditional art that we proudly have today in our communities.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

GAPU - SACRED FLOW OF LIFE

Artist: John Smith Gumbula

Language group: Wakka Wakka

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

This artwork depicts John's contemporary Aboriginal art expressions of Gapu (water), which is one of the many sacred elements that brings life to the sacred places of country. 

Across our sacred lands to the North, East, South and Western Indigenous people’s birth place, the billabongs, springs, rivers, creeks, streams, oceans and all waterways are seen to provide precious life over 60 000 years.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

LOVE OF CULTURE

Artist: Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak)

Tribe: Kulkalgal (Yam Island, Torres Strait)

Hand-drawn on paper, 2018

Story:

The bold minar, or infill-design style in Glen’s work incorporates family totemic designs and his own invented geometric repeating water pattern. He retells the myths and legendary stories he inherited from older family members.

This artwork pays homage to women and represents the livelihood and sacred labour of Torres Strait Islander women, often carried out in a group.

Elements:

The hair comb and Island mat represent the important bonds between the women.

The bridal pendant is made from the shell from the Hawksbill Turtle by the groom and is the equivalent of a wedding ring.

The garden stick and yam represent the time when women study the Tagai constellation in the sky at night to determine the best time to plant yam in time for the first rainy season.

It is the job of the younger girls to always ensure the coconut water container is always kept full for the men to take with them when they go out in their boats to hunt for turtle and dugong. If the hunt is not successful, the women dig up the yam and taro from the garden and cook it ready to eat on the men’s return. The garden food is a staple and a back-up.

The coconut scraper is used for scraping the white flesh from coconuts which the women use to make coconut milk and coconut oil for cooking and many other uses (eg hair treatments).

The three frangipani flowers signify marriage, widowhood, being single. Depending where the flower is placed on the head, it has different meanings: In the middle or back of head: a widow On the right: a single woman On the left: a married woman

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

EARTH TRAVELLER

Artist: Ailsa Walsh

Language groups: Lardil, Kullili and Yuggera

Acrylic on canvas, 2017

Story:

Wherever we travel in life, we leave an imprint of ourselves in the soil. The earth leaves a mark on us also, bridging an everlasting connection between ourselves and the places we go.

As we continue to set foot on new ground and travel around the country, it is important to remember the imprints we have already made, and those made on us.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

WEAVING THROUGH TIME

Artist: Ailsa Walsh

Language groups: Lardil, Kullili and Yuggera

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

This artwork depicts people from the desert and near the ocean. It represents mothers, aunties, grandmothers, daughters and nieces from the vast Indigenous communities. Various regions have their own weaving techniques, depending on the particular tree or plant the women have used. This piece is dedicated to Ailsa’s grandmother Florence Dawson Davidson who was a strong elder and a stolen generation survivor.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

MOTHERLAND - LAND LINES

Artist: Amanda Conway-Jones

Language group: Ngarrindjeri (SA)

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

For the Ngarrindjeri people, land has a spiritual and cultural connection and is deeply important to their identity and way of life. Amanda’s family is one of the oldest Aboriginal families on the south coast; by creating this piece she acknowledges the deep connection her family have with the land and the impact that Aboriginal women have made on their country. In this piece, she used a combination of ocean & earth colours to represent her small country town near the ocean.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

MY FAMILY

Artist: Rachael Sarra

Language group: Goreng Goreng (QLD)

Digital illustration, 2018

Story:

This artwork tells a story of the importance of family and culture as a support network throughout life. Our families and cultures are diverse but the similarities in valuing integrity is what unites and connects us.

Our unique experiences are what shape who we are and our identity; these are represented by the symbols in the foreground. The circles as a foundation represent well-being from a holistic view; our mind, body and spiritual health supported by family.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

DABIL 'WATER' COUNTRY

Artist: Shara Delaney

Language group: Quandamooka (QLD)

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

Dabil means water in the Jandai language from Quandamooka Country. Shara’s people are known as Yoolooburrabee - people of the sand and sea, they have a strong and spiritual connection to the salt water.

The painting depicts different aspects of water use: the pattern of the flowing fresh water stream, an important resource for life and the ocean where her people hunt and fish. Dabil is vital to survive, everyone must respect the oceans and water ways for the sake of future generations

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

GURRAGURRAGAN (shark)

Artist: Shara Delaney

Language group: Quandamooka (QLD)

Acrylic on canvas, 2018

Story:

“In Quandamooka sea country, our old people had a special relationship with gurragurragon (the shark), a majestic animal which creates balance in our oceans. The “Sacred Rock”, known as Adder Rock on Minjerribah, North Stradbroke tells a story of how the gurragurragon would never harm a Quandamooka person. It was a place where men and women would gather to perform rites at its base. The rock gave certain possessions in the nature of magic that would cure sicknesses. Our Elders felt protected from gurragurragan when they swam in this area.”

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

SPIRIT FEATHERS

Artist: Lara Went

Language group: Worimi (NSW)

Hand painted on paper using acrylic paint and posca art pens, 2018

Story:

May you be like a feather, strong with purpose yet light at heart and able to bend. We are all different yet we are all equal and floating in the same universe as one. There is no one else on earth like you, be you, you are one of a kind.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

UNDER THE GARUWA

Artist: Lara Went

Language group: Worimi (NSW)

Hand painted on paper using acrylic paint and posca art pens, 2018

Story:

The sea (garuwa) has healing properties. It stirs the heart, makes you feel fully alive and brings joy to the soul. Feel the salty air flow through your lungs, feel the water on your skin, spin in circles as you dive under the waves. Feel the vibrations of the waves wash away all your stress, become one with nature and you will always feel like you are living under the garuwa.

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

ANCIENT SEA

Artist: Thomas Harry

Language group: Gugu-Badhun / Bingal

Acrylic on canvas, 2016

Story:

The original artwork is part of the Ancient World series. Ancient Sea depicts the continuation and the celebration of life and showing the journey of sea turtles. This myth was inherited from Thomas’s grandmother and takes place in Far North Queensland, where his ancestors originally came from. 

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here > 

ANCIENT GROUND

Artist: Thomas Harry

Language group: Gugu-Badhun / Bingal

Acrylic on canvas, 2016

Story:

The original artwork is part of the Ancient World series. Ancient Ground represents one of the great and powerful forces of nature and spirit: the Rainbow Serpent. It is the protector of our land, our people, and the source of all life. This story is very important to Thomas’s family, and it takes place in Far North QLD where his ancestors originally came from.  

Life Apparel Co is a proud advocate and member of the Indigenous Art Code. We closely collaborate with and commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to create product specific, editioned artworks.

All Indigenous artworks that feature on the products are 100% authentic.

Learn more about our artists here >