Shelley Conway is a First Nations Artist, a proud Bundjalung and South Sea Islander woman, currently residing on Yugambeh land (Queensland).
2019
marks the start of our creative collaboration
8
exclusive artworks licensed and celebrated
39
unique products made for impact
Introduction
Growing up on the Tweed Coast, her family is a mix of Bundjalung and South Sea Islander peoples. Shelley’s great-grandfather was blackbirded from Vanuatu to cut sugarcane in the Northern Rivers of NSW. For generations, her family has farmed the Caldera’s red soil from the once active volcano known as Wollumbin - The Warrior Chief.
Her connection to self and the world around her reflects her relationship with Mother Nature. She honours her in every way she can for her spiritual growth and uses her artwork to share the stories that the natural world tells her so that others can see the beauty through her eyes. Always on the lookout for new ways to express her passion for nature and humankind, Shelley draws upon a variety of artistic mediums.
From sketching to painting on canvas, from hobby photography to most recently exploring her love for digital art, Shelley enjoys keeping it fresh and going with her creative flow. One of her favourite things about digital art is that she can still experiment with mixed mediums. She may start with a pencil and paper sketch, incorporate any inspirational photos she has taken to set the mood, and then transform the raw design by putting it through creative software.
"Watching my artwork come alive during this process is such a buzz. Having access to hundreds of the most vibrant colour hues at my fingertips and finishing with a polished, print-ready design is quite satisfying."
Work with Shelley
Custom art commissions are available. Collaborating with you to conceive a unique composition, size and colour palette, Shelley 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 Shelley.
Story: The spirits of our ancestors join together in joy, celebrating the tenacity of our rich culture and how far their love of Country and advocacy for compassion have brought us on this long, dusty, roadless journey. They proudly bestow their blessings and wisdom upon the next generation of young, resilient leaders and the visions they hold for the communities they nurture.
It is time… their great healing legacy is written not only in the stars but in the earth, caves, riverbeds, and hillsides of our land. It resides in all of us—an innate sense of pride and belonging. We are the artisans of collaboration. We are whoever we choose to be, and we are grateful. The future is golden, and it’s bright here, bright now.
Let's Get Up!
Let's Get Up!
Medium: Digital Illustration Year: 2022
Story: This is a clarion call to all Australians to rise, take a stand, and actively participate in the journey toward recognition, justice, and healing for Indigenous peoples.
This design underscores the importance of proactive engagement, urging individuals not to remain passive but to become active allies. It challenges everyone to be present, be visible, and be part of the ongoing fight for equality and the preservation of the world's oldest continuous cultures.
Regress To Progress
Regress To Progress
Medium: Digital Illustration Year: 2023
Story: "Cultural land and sea management are more necessary than ever before. With colonisation came a form of farming and land management that was, and still is, incompatible with the Australian landscape.
REGRESS to PROGRESS is a message from Country, demanding the return of the old ways so that She can thrive again. It is a slogan designed to protest for the recognition of the knowledge that First Nations people hold to Care for Country, such as traditional fire burning, seed management, fish trapping, pest and weed control, and much more.
Progress has already been made in this area with active projects scattered across the country, but they are few and far between—we still have a long way to go. On a national level, we can do better, and for the sake of this land that we share, we must chant the call to action: REGRESS - PROGRESS - AMPLIFY - SUCCESS!"
Nostalgia
Nostalgia
Medium: Acrylic On Canvas Year: 2022
Story: "I wanted this piece to feel positive and fun by showcasing some of my favourite elements of Island culture and celebration.
These images and colours reflect warm memories shared during traditional gatherings with family. The brightly coloured flowers represent those that adorn the table tops in abundance as we feast together. The banana leaves are arranged alongside the fruits that fill our bellies. The younger girls dance with swaying hips and confident smiles.
This is a modern take on old traditions, conjuring up joyful memories that feed the soul."
Island Totem
Island Totem
Medium: Acrylic On Canvas Year: 2019
Story: The cowrie shell has been used for many years in multiple ways, from currency to divination, luck, and jewellery.
“For me, the cowrie is a totem from my childhood. I was always mesmerised by my auntie’s long threads of cowrie jewellery and the vibrant colours decorating her walls. It stirs warm memories of the traditional women in my family and the feeling of belonging to a community connected to both the land and water.”
Megaphone
Megaphone
Medium: Digital Illustration Year: 2022
Story: This is a clarion call to all Australians to rise, take a stand, and actively participate in the journey toward recognition, justice, and healing for Indigenous peoples.
This design underscores the importance of proactive engagement, urging individuals not to remain passive but to become active allies. It challenges everyone to be present, be visible, and be part of the ongoing fight for equality and the preservation of the world's oldest continuous cultures.
Raise The Flag
Raise The Flag
Medium: Digital Illustration Year: 2023
Story: "Aboriginality is not just a way of identifying ourselves for others' sake. It is our birthright, our heritage, our ancestry, our lineage, and our experiences. We are proud, we are many, we are diverse, and we are ready.
Our flag calls out to each other within a sea of multiculturalism. Black, yellow, and red are a beacon of hope and a reminder that we are connected across the vastness of this great land. Connected through the work we share—educating, raising awareness, and transforming our cultural pain into purpose.
Our Mob are the original custodians of this land, the keepers of culture, and the voice of the seasons. We are the past, the present, and the future. We raise the flag, and we raise it proudly!"
F.I.S.T.
F.I.S.T.
Medium: Digital Illustration Year: 2022
Story: This is a clarion call to all Australians to rise, take a stand, and actively participate in the journey toward recognition, justice, and healing for Indigenous peoples.
This design underscores the importance of proactive engagement, urging individuals not to remain passive but to become active allies. It challenges everyone to be present, be visible, and be part of the ongoing fight for equality and the preservation of the world's oldest continuous cultures.
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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