Silk Stockings at the Babel Island Store

Michelle Maynard is a contemporary Tasmanian First Nations designer and artist. Her creative practice moves across digital design, print, collage, installation, creative production, fashion and textiles.

Through her work, she accentuates visual acknowledgement, memory in place and untold story. Empowering the memory of her people and breaking down false and oppressive perceptions inspires her approach.

Michelle often uses the bright colours of country to evoke feeling that mirrors the beauty, vibrancy and playfulness of First Nations people.

Passionate about advocating for her people and country through art and design, Michelle is powerfully motivated from the core of her family and their history on the Cape Barren Island Reserve. Sustainable practice, maintaining cultural responsibility and respectful care and consideration for country and people, are central to her practice.

Takira Simon-Brown is a Niyanta of Chief Mannalargenna of the Plangermairreenner Nation (Ben Lomond) and a luna of Paredareme country where the Moonmairemenner community once resided.

Takira's art practice includes music, film and performance, painting and printmaking. She comes from a strong line of Aboriginal makers - her grandmother and mother, both shell stringers, have necklaces in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery collection, and her family includes other arts practitioners and educators.

Lillian is a saltwater woman (muka luna) from the Trawlwoolway nation, northeast Tasmania. She is a senior cultural practitioner, knowledge keeper, artist/designer and respected Elder in her community.

Lillian’s work is inspired by her country and life growing up on an island in the Bass Strait. This was the very island her ancestors were subjected to enforced displacement from their homelands. They were forbidden to practice their cultural ways, as attempted genocide of her ancestors continued.

Today, Lillian’s people are continuing the cultural practices that were taken from her old people. Lillian’s life growing up on an island has instilled a deep respect for country, for her people's livelihoods depending on the tide, seasons, moon, wind, just as the original custodians of this land did. As a young child Lillian would gather cuttlefish, kelp, shells, driftwood - treasures washed up from the sea, and topaz washed down from the mountains. This childhood pastime grew into a way of life for her.

The influences of her cultural upbringing inspire her to create her pieces. Today when she gathers traditional materials to create her work, she is honouring her people, culture, and customs by continuing the thriving, living ancient practices. Her connection and love of her island home and ancestral lands resonate in the exquisite pieces she creates both contemporary and traditional.