Emma Hollingsworth is a First Nations artist, a proud Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u and Girramay woman, currently residing on Turrbal Country (Queensland).
2018
marks the start of our creative collaboration
4
exclusive artworks licensed and celebrated
47
unique products made for impact
Introduction
Emma is a Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u, and Girramay woman who grew up in tropical far north Queensland. Her works are a reflection of her heritage, culture, and her own story, as she channels her youthfulness through the use of vibrant colours and designs.
From a young age, Emma knew she wanted to be an artist. Her mother said that before she could even walk, she was drawing on just about anything she could find, including the walls. When she came of age, she began taking her art more seriously. It took her a few years to learn and develop her own style, but eventually, she reached the point where she could paint intuitively.
Emma’s artworks tell the story of her life. She paints about things she has experienced and things that inspire her. She also uses vibrant colours because she is inspired by how she sees the world. She paints about the land and waterways, the animals, the peoples, their traditions, and how all of those things are intrinsically connected.
Her art is contemporary and has evolved over the years. Emma is proud to now have her own style of creativity that tells her story and brings her culture and peoples to life through art.
"My artworks tell the story of my life. I paint about the land and waterways, the animals, the people, our traditions, and how all of those things are intrinsically connected."
Work with Emma
Custom art commissions are available. Collaborating with you to conceive a unique composition, size and colour palette, Emma is dedicated to creating an artwork that resonates with your business or cause.
For more information contact Life Apparel and we will get you in touch with Emma.
Story: This artwork honours the wisdom and resilience of the giants who came before us, and acknowledges that the time has come for the next generation to step forward. It reflects the knowledge and strength passed down to the younger people, grounding us in culture and connection to Country. Our elders and our community have paved the way, and now it is our turn to carry that torch, to walk new paths with strength and vision, and to continue shaping a bright future for our people.
Strength Of Our Elders
Strength Of Our Elders
Medium: Acrylic On Canvas Year: 2023
Story: This artwork represents the strength, resilience, and courage of my Elders - those who withstood great adversity so that I may be where I am today. My Elders inspired and led the way, taught me about my culture, and showed me that culture could coexist with this shiny, ever-changing world.
This painting is for my Elders, who comforted me and taught me so much about inner strength and how to stand tall in the face of adversity.
Coastal Dreaming
Coastal Dreaming
Medium: Acrylic On Canvas Year: 2018
Story: The artwork represents the communities along the coast and the mob within those communities. All of the communities are connected by lines, or "tracks," which are either walking tracks or tracks made by boats, as people travel from island to mainland.
Coastal clans thrive as the tropical climate provides an abundance of fresh water, and the sea provides plenty of fish or ‘minya,’ making for a healthy diet. Indigenous people have always fished sustainably and taken care of the land properly. If we come together, we can learn how to take care of the waterways, sea, and land using traditional methods and save our environment.
Strong Family
Strong Family
Medium: Acrylic On Canvas Year: 2020
Story: Australia’s First Nations people have been a part of this land for thousands of years. We are proud and resilient, supported by the strong family networks we share and the blood ties that connect us.
Together, we stand strong in the face of adversity and help each other rise to achieve great things. This artwork represents our ongoing connection to the land that began thousands of years ago and will continue long into the future. We are proud, we are strong, and we are family. One mob.
Life Apparel is an approved signatory of the Indigenous Art Code. This ensures ethical trading, integrity, transparency, and accountability in dealings with First Nations Artists. The code empowers artists, supporting them in achieving fair and transparent commercial opportunities for their art.
We are strong champions of ethical practices in the industry and see the voluntary Code of Conduct as a pivotal means to achieve this, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of respect and fairness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists.
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Acknowledgement Of Country
Life Apparel celebrates and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging for their generosity and custodianship of Country throughout Australia.
We recognise and honour the ongoing connection and deep spiritual relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to this Country, and acknowledge the unique role they play in caring for and protecting it for future generations. As an Australian-led boutique label and proud allies, we demonstrate our respect for First Nations peoples through our commitments to environmentally sustainable and ethical business practices. We recognise their continuing connection to land and waters, and thank them for protecting our natural resources and ecosystems.
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