Supporting Artists & Communities
100% Indigenous Owned
Family Owned & Operated
We're excited to welcome Maria Watson-Trudgett as one of the newest collaborators to join the BW Tribal creative community. Maria is an Aboriginal artist whose work is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, yet shaped by the complex realities of colonisation. Her artistic journey reflects her personal experience of piecing together the fragments of her culture, resulting in a unique fusion of abstract and Aboriginal art.
Maria's art goes beyond visual appeal—it tells stories of her Wiradyuri heritage. As a member of the Wiradyuri Nation, Maria's connection to the land and its rivers runs deep. The Wiradyuri people, known as "river people," have a profound relationship with their Country, particularly the three significant rivers—the Lachlan (Galari), Macquarie (Wambuul), and Murrumbidgee (Marrambidya). These waterways and surrounding bushlands are not just sources of sustenance, but key elements in the spiritual and everyday lives of the Wiradyuri people. Maria's work beautifully captures this deep connection to Country, narrating the ongoing relationship between her people and the natural world.
What sets Maria's work apart is her contemporary fusion of abstract art with traditional Aboriginal storytelling techniques. The abstract elements in her work symbolise the disruptions to her culture, particularly the loss and fragmentation of stories due to colonisation. As Maria describes it, learning about her culture has been like putting together a puzzle, but one that will never be complete. This tension between the traditional and the abstract plays out in her art, making her pieces both visually captivating and d meaningful.
Maria often incorporates groups of symbols in her work to preserve cultural traditions, echoing the way her ancestors passed down stories for thousands of years. She also uses white markings and lines in place of traditional dots, adding layers of meaning. Sometimes these markings emphasise or highlight elements of the story, while other times they obscure details, reflecting the incompleteness of her cultural knowledge. The use of white in her work is also symbolic of the impacts of colonisation, but it holds a dual significance—it's a reference to white ochre, a traditional resource from Wiradyuri Country, used for painting, medicinal purposes, and given as a gift to visitors entering the land.
At the heart of Maria's work is a commitment to raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures. Through her art, she aspires to contribute to the preservation of the world's oldest living culture and to positively influence the way people view and engage with Aboriginal history and traditions. Her works serve as a bridge between the past and present, offering glimpses into the richness of Wiradyuri Country while inviting viewers to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
Maria Watson-Trudgett's art is both a personal journey and a shared experience. As she shares her stories and knowledge, much like her ancestors did, we are invited to learn, appreciate, and reflect. We are honoured to have her join our creative community, and we encourage you to explore her works, each piece a celebration of her deep connection to Country and her commitment to preserving her heritage.
www.mariawatsontrudgett.com.au | @mariawatsontrudgett
