By Rachael Thompson & Antonia Day Entertainment 30.09.2023

23 Inspiring First Nations Artists to Follow on Instagram

From Adam Leng to Lauren Freestone, you're bound to adore the art by these incredible creators.

Bed Threads acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land where we work, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We pay respect to Elders – past and present – and recognise their connections to land, sea and community, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures today.

Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander people have been creating art for millennia. The rich culture of painting and storytelling has been passed down for generations, and now Aboriginal art is cherished in homes and galleries – and on Instagram feeds – around the world. First Nations art is deeply meaningful, celebrating Indigenous Australian people's strong spiritual connection to family, community, and Country.

From those who create traditional intricate dot paintings to more contemporary pieces, these are some of our favourite First Nations artists who deserve a follow on Instagram.

1. Rachael Sarra

Rachael Sarra and her art is anything but boring. The contemporary artist from Goreng Goreng Country uses art as a powerful tool to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution. The result is feminine, fun and engaging artworks with a modern twist.

While she’s had quite the career success already, one of her biggest achievements would have to be collaborating with Australia Post to design the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum collectable stamp.

If you’re like us and can’t get enough of Rachael, you can check out her Bedtime Stories on the Journal here.

Follow Rachael on Instagram @sar.ra__

2. Mia Boe

Murri artist Mia Boe’s work has appeared in her home city’s Institute of Modern Art and the Museum of Brisbane, where she completed a residency. Exploring (among other things) the experiences and struggles unique to First Nations people, Mia says her work aims to “record and recover Indigenous histories which Australia seeks to deny.”

Follow Mia on Instagram @miaboe.art

3. Lauren Freestone

Based in Newcastle, Lauren Freestone always considered art as a hobby and a way to connect with her dad - celebrated artist Lee Freestone. She was selling her paintings to friends and family but became more serious about it when a Sydney gallery asked to house some of her works.

"I have always been a creative person," she previously told Bed Threads Journal. "I grew up watching my dad paint and exhibit his work. My grandfather made and sold Yidaki and boomerangs at the markets so I guess it has always been a part of me."

Head here for a tour inside the artist’s show-stopping home and studio.

Follow Lauren on Instagram @freestone_art

4. Daisy Hill

Gold Coast-based artist Daisy Hill’s style is intricate dot painting - the traditional art form of her Muruwari mob. She also uses a combination of Aboriginal language symbols along with her own interpretation, to tell stories and keep the traditions of her people alive.

“It is a way for me to feel connected to the Motherland - the trees, the water, the sand, the sun, the earth and the animals,” she writes on her site. “It's a way for me to convey the beauty I see in all things. A way for me to express my gratitude and to acknowledge the Country I am walking, living and breathing.”

Follow Daisy on Instagram @daisy_in_dots

5. Holly Sanders

Contemporary Aboriginal artist and teacher Holly Sanders, is a proud Bundjalung woman from the North Coast of New South Wales, who shares her stories and culture via her art in a contemporary way. She looks toward the land, sky and sea at different times of the day and year for inspiration.

Her passion for creating evolved from a young age and she was heavily influenced by her mother who was also an artist.

Follow Holly on Instagram @hollysanders_art

6. Brad Turner

Proud Bundjalung man and contemporary Indigenous artist Brad Turner managed to turn his passion for art into a full-time job and flourishing business during 2020. The artist’s creativity stemmed from a young age when he would watch his grandfather paint, but it wasn’t until recently when his daughter showed interest in their culture and heritage did he revisit his hobby.

In the short time between quitting his job as a bus driver to bravely embarking on his own business venture, Brad’s work has been featured on the finale of popular TV show The Block and he’s even nailed a double spread feature in Inside Out magazine. His art focuses on earthy tones like yellow ochre, raw sienna and soft yellow-pink to ultimately create pieces that evoke a sense of calm - perfect for the bedroom if you ask us.

Follow Brad on Instagram @bradturnercreative_

7. Amanda Hinkelmann

Hailing from Wagga Wagga, proud Wiradjuri artist Amanda Hinkelmann creates contemporary Aboriginal art – textural, feminine and modern – using both traditional iconographies mixed with unique symbolism. She works mostly with acrylic on canvas and loves large-scale works. She also creates murals and digital works.

Follow Amanda on Instagram @amanda_hinkelmann_art

8. Glenda, Jaunita, Dale and Cheryl McCulloch

Cungelella Art was originally founded in 2019 by Genda McCulloch and soon expanded as a collaboration to include her sisters - Jaunita, Dale and Cheryl. Together, they saw a better opportunity to create a legacy through their artwork and share their culture, all while being able to spend more quality family time together.

The sisters grew up influenced by artists and creatives - their grandparents, uncles and aunties would teach them about carvings and paintings, and traditional art of the region. They’ve taken this traditional knowledge to put a creative modern spin on contemporary Aboriginal art that is inspired by the rugged and rust-coloured lands of Kalkatungu Country. If you want their art on more than just a canvas, you can also find it printed on yoga mats, jewellery and clothing, amongst other items.

Follow Glenda, Jaunita, Dale and Cheryl on Instagram @cungelella_art

9. Natalie Jade

This self-taught intuitive artist transitioned from abstract to Contemporary Aboriginal art as a way to connect with her culture, soul frequency and ancestors. She uses her art as a form of healing and paints intuitively “after connecting in and being in a flow state through meditation and music.”

Natalie’s art is mostly of the landscape and almost always depicts rainbows, which is a direct reflection of her own dreaming. She has collaborated with a long list of businesses and has even been featured in several publications including The Design Files and Real Living.

Follow Natalie on Instagram @nataliejade_artist

10. Emma Hollingsworth

Proud Kaanju, Kuku Ya'u and Girrimay woman Emma Hollingsworth, juggles multiple roles as an artist, businesswoman and model. She spends her days creating brightly coloured, intricate paintings that tell stories inspired by her heritage for her self-run art store Mulganai.

From a young age, Emma knew she wanted to be an artist (her mother would even catch her drawing on the walls) and as she travelled around Australia with her family visiting many Aboriginal communities, she soaked in her surroundings to inspire the art she creates today. Follow her for a daily dose of inspiration and positivity - plus, you can even find her on TikTok.

Follow Emma on Instagram @mulganai

11. Miimi and Jiinda

Miimi and Jiinda is an Australian Art business founded by Indigenous Australian mother-daughter duo, Lauren Jarett and Melissa Greenwood. Together, they create beautifully unique artworks that share their interpretations of Country and reflect their own personal stories as Indigenous women.

With each piece they create, Lauren and Melissa hope to spark conversations, and uplift and inspire. Their strong 107k (and counting) Instagram following proves they’re doing their part in shedding light on important issues and helping individuals better understand their culture and heritage.

Follow Lauren and Melissa @miimiandjiinda

12. KT Aboriginal Fine Art

Artist Kelly Taylor’s artworks are a depiction of her childhood days. She has passed down what she’s learnt to her three daughters T'keyah, Kelilah, and Taliyah who are producing equally as impressive work. Their finely detailed paintings are vibrant and inject colour and pattern into the homes they hang within.

Follow Kelly on Instagram @ktaboriginalfineart

13. Tjala Arts

An Aboriginal-owned and managed corporation, Tjala Arts boasts one of the country's most exciting exhibition program supporting established, mid-career, and emerging First Nations artists. The works of these artists have appeared countless times in the Wynne Prize.

Follow Tjala Arts on Instagram @tjalaarts

14. Yarli Creative

Maddy Connors is a proud Yorta Yorta (Wolithica clan), Dja Dja Wurrung (Moomnom Gunditj Bee clan) and Gamilaroi woman. Her beautiful artworks range from playful to empowering. Her most profound artworks are heavily intertwined with Human Rights advocacy, Aboriginal affairs, and women's health awareness. Being creative provides Maddy with a sense of healing.

Follow Maddy on Instagram @yarli_creative

15. Adam Leng

Painting from his home studio on Yugambeh land is the talented Adam Lang. His works are a harmonious balance between fluidity and form, with confident curves dancing across the canvas. Adam's mesmerising pieces are inspired by the diverse landscape he is surrounded by, and reminiscent of three elements: individual, country, and ancestors. We were lucky enough to visit Adam at his home and studio, take a tour of his space here.

Follow Adam on Instagram @adam.leng

Shop Adam's Exclusive Prints

16. Tiarna Herczeg

Tiarna Herczeg is a proud Kuku Yalanji and Hungarian artist living on Gadigal land. Her works depict maps that follow paths, Songlines and significant places. Melding instinctive and intuitive practices, her striking works are often started without a clear direction in mind, resulting in an astonishing finished product.

Follow Tiarna on Instagram @tiarna.herczeg

17. Otis Hope Carey

Hypnotic lines brought to life with creamy pastels and stark black strokes, the incredible works of Gumbaynggirr painter Otis Hope Carey have captivated a nation. The talented painter's work bridges the gap between past and present styles, creating an innovative fusion of Indigenous art styles.

Follow Otis on Instagram @otishopecarey

18. Tony Albert

Renowned for pushing boundaries with his art, Tony Albert is a politically-minded artist provoked by stereotypical representations of Aboriginal people. His works borrow elements from various art styles, to help communicate the message he is trying to convey. From large-scale murals, to custom pieces on coffee machines, Tony's attention to detail and skill are simply incredible.

Follow Tony on Instagram @tonyalbert

19. Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal)

Hailing from the Bundjalung region, Sydney-based painter and tattoo artist Shal creates vibrantly-intuitive pieces inspired by a plethora of places, communities, and water. Shal's pieces display organically fluid lines, contrasted against bold backgrounds, his work has sold out in galleries across Australia, leaving us only wanting more.

Follow Shal on Instagram @shalxvx

20. Kamsani (Kam) Bin-Salleh

Descending from the Nimunburr and Yawuru people of the Kimberley and the Ballardong Noongar people of the Perth region in Western Australia, Kam creates intricate artworks that reflect the natural world he is surrounded by. His intricate works often depict scenes of wildlife, met with fluid lines carefully constructed with thick brushwork.

Follow Kam on Instagram @kambarni

21. Melissa Ladkin

A proud descendent of the Awabakal/Wonnarua/Bundjalung peoples, Bundjalung Jugun-based artist Melissa Ladkin, uses the rich earth she is surrounded by to create her works. Applying ochre onto canvas as an act of deep reverence for Country, her unique pieces tell a story of the land and the natural pigments she uses to bring them to life.

Follow Melissa on Instagram @ochre.earth

22. Jade Akamarre

Highly esteemed artist and art dealer Jade Akamarre follows in the footsteps of her grandmother and great-grandmother, the late Barbara Weir and the late Minnie Pwerle – both recognised Aboriginal Australian artists. Jade's stunning works directly translate her deep connection to land and Country, and her spiritual affinity to her ancestors.

Follow Jade on Instagram @jadeakamarre

23. Kylie Monteleone

Western Arrernte artist Kylie Monteleone paints beautifully detailed pieces under the moniker Arelhe Creative. Her meticulous dot work is brought to life on canvas, telling stories of the land and her connection to Country. Using an earthy palette of creamy paints, her pieces stand out on deep emerald backgrounds, displayed beautiful in raw timber frames.

Follow Kylie on Instagram @arelhe_creative

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by Rachael Thompson Entertainment 23.10.2023

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