Indigenous female artists living on the Central Coast

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts are the oldest ongoing tradition of arts in the world, and the Central Coast is home to a number of talented female Indigenous artists. These women are forging a connection with Country through their artwork and building new communities with it. Using a combination of traditional styles, mixed media and contemporary influences, each artist takes their own inspiration from the environment, stories and family yarns they grew up with, as well as the everyday issues facing their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples communities. 

Overall, however, a common theme among these artists is connection: not just with Country, but with eachother. We took a moment to yarn with these local artists on what inspires their work...

Twenty-one-year-old Yuin woman Allirra Moore started painting on the Central Coast when she was just ten years old.  Along with Garry Purchase, Moore credits local Central Coast Indigenous artist Kylie Cassidy as being one of her key inspirations.

“My experience has always been positive,” says Moore.

“But in the last few years, I think with the Voices of the Land art exhibition curated by Kylie Cassidy and Garry Purchase, I think that has opened my eyes to how many other artists are actually here and how much talent there is here on the Central Coast”.

With this in mind, Moore curated and staged her own first exhibition on the coast, the Spirit Country Art Exhibition.

Originally from Yuin country on the South Coast, Moore believes her painting allows her to connect with her roots.

“Over time, painting became a really big outlet to connect with country and express my culture…  growing up away from my home Country, it definitely helped me connect in that way.”

A contemporary Indigenous artist and proud Darkinjung woman living on the Central Coast, Judith Franklin grew up fishing in and around Wyong. She painted all her life in a variety of mediums and was a trained printmaker but after meeting with one of her elders and was encouraged to go back to Aboriginal Art. Most recently in 2023, she was part of two exhibitions at the Wollombi Fire Shed and John Hunter Gallery.

An award-winning self-taught artist, Donella Waters is a Kamilaroi woman based on the Central Coast. She has collaborated with a number of artists, and works in various mediums: most recently, her work appeared on the University of Newcastle’s building. She is also the co-curator of the Aboriginal Art Exhibition that coincides with the Central Coast’s 5 Lands Walk, which is held over the winter solstice each year at North Avoca.

Based on the Central Coast, Bundjalung woman Jenni McEwen’s  graphic design and artwork appears all over the coast, from the Terrigal Boardwalk to the RMS road signage when you reach 'Darkinjung Country'. She is also a member of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and designed their logo.

To explore more artwork from the Aboriginal peoples' community of our region, search our Makers and Creators here and filter by the term 'Aboriginal culture'.