Photographed by Katie Fergus
Style Collective Inspiring Women. Inspiring Fashion.
Few people truly live out their childhood dreams and aspirations like artist Emma Hollingsworth. The stroke of a paintbrush came as instinctively as taking her first steps, and it’s no wonder as the inspiration behind her vivid and bold paintings runs deep.
From the Great Barrier Reef, lush Far North Queensland rainforests, to native Australian wildlife; the subjects she paints are stirred by her heritage and childhood experiences as a proud First Nations woman.
Please introduce yourself – who is Emma Hollingsworth?
I am the artist behind Mulganai (pronounced Mol-gan-ai) artist studio. I am a Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u, and Girramay woman, currently operating in Meanjin on Turrbul Country (Brisbane).
Tell us about your childhood and how it influenced your passion for art?
My childhood was spent in the bush, on the outskirts of Yarrabah, far north Queensland. I often travelled with my family to my traditional Country, where I learnt stories and witnessed my aunties and uncles paint. I remember growing up and being in constant awe of the natural world around me, with all the animals that ran, flew and swam wild, and all the colours of the bush. It inspired me to try and capture those moments in a colourful way and express how they made me feel.
I remember growing up and being in constant awe of the natural world around me, with all the animals that ran, flew and swam wild, and all the colours of the bush.
What are your favourite memories from travelling around Australia when growing up?
One of my favourite moments would be going to Lockhart, NSW and sitting at the beach while I watched the sunset. The memory of the warm wind in my hair and the sand on my toes – the peace it brought me is still vivid in my mind. Another memory would be travelling to Cardwell, QLD, or up the Great Dividing Range to Budgabulla and being in absolute awe of the beautiful, ancient trees that bordered the roads. I also fondly remember watching the Ulysses butterflies fluttering around and filling the sky with their vibrant blue and black wings.
Can you describe your artwork aesthetic? Who and what inspires it?
My aesthetic is very bright, contemporary, and youthful. It is inspired by the world around me in my everyday life, my childhood memories, and my family.
What influences your colour choices for your art?
I mostly paint with vivid, playful colours because it brings me joy and inspires me to persevere when things get tough. I paint pieces that tell stories or reflect something in nature, like the Great Barrier Reef, or a kangaroo, or a turtle. Usually when I paint an animal or something in the natural world, I will use earthy tones. If I want to mix it up a little, I will blend natural tones with bright pinks and yellows.
Your artwork was exhibited in the Queensland Museum, what did that mean to you?
That was my first ever exhibition and it gave me the confidence to pursue art properly, so it meant everything to me. For the first time in my life I thought, “Hey, I might actually have a real chance at this.” I took that and ran with it, and I haven’t looked back since.
What piece of artwork are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my gecko painting, which is the artwork I created for the Queensland Museum exhibition. It was a massive canvas for me to paint and the artwork took months to complete. It forced me out of my comfort zone and when I saw it displayed at the museum, I was so proud of myself for getting it finished despite the anxiety I felt creating it. It makes me proud because it really is the piece that started Mulganai. The artwork represents a species of gecko that lives in the sandhills on Kaanju/Kuku Ya’u Country. They have been under threat due to mining, and I really wanted to bring awareness to that using the painting.
My aesthetic is very bright, contemporary, and youthful. It is inspired by the world around me in my everyday life, my childhood memories, and my family.
Tell us about your business Mulganai and how it came about?
My middle name is Mulganai, so it felt natural to name my brand that. Mulganai is pronounced Mol-gan-ai, and it means morning star in Gungandji language. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a toddler and as I got older it became an important way to express myself. When I was 19-20 years old, I decided to try and sell my art. In the first two years I think I sold three artworks and it was a struggle. I created an Instagram account and at the time there were only a handful of other First Nations artists online, so it was hard to feel encouraged. I stuck to it though and eventually sold paintings more regularly. Looking back, I can see how far I have come, and I hope that it inspires other First Nations people out there to find their passions and follow their dreams. Our ancestors fought for us to be able to chase our visions and I believe we should be doing just that.
Creating art for a living has also opened a world of conversation and has allowed non-Indigenous people to learn more about my culture, and the plight of my mob. This to me, is one of the most important reasons why I do what I do, and I couldn’t feel any luckier.
In addition to your passion for art, you’re also an advocate for mental health, why is this important to you?
Mental health is so important to me because when I was a teenager, I went through a very dark period. Some days even now I feel that depression creeping back in. I advocate for it because I know what it’s like to feel like that, and I know that people need proper support. I also know it is said too much, but I fully believe it does get better. I also want to advocate for change to the mental health services in Australia because they are sub-par and desperately need improvement.
I found healing through art and by finding what I was passionate about. Creativity has been a wonderful way to express myself, and running my business helps me stay focused and lets me feel like I am working towards something meaningful. I also get my body moving everyday by working out or getting outdoors. I try to eat (mostly) healthy, wholesome food because I believe this can also affect my moods. When I am feeling down, I will paint or listen to music or read a really good book. I believe in balance, and I am learning to be more patient with myself. It hasn’t been easy, but all of these things have changed my life, and when I reflect on my 16-year-old self, I know she would be so proud of me.
How can our customers support you and other indigenous artists?
You can support me by following me on Instagram or Tiktok (@mulganai) or you can visit my website mulganai.com to read more about me or to shop. I sell original artworks, prints and a big range of merchandise.
You can also follow @tradingblak or follow the hashtag #aboriginalartist on Instagram, where you’ll find a tonne of artists who are showcasing their beautiful work. Tradingblak is a platform that showcases a range of First Nations people who run businesses. A great way to support us is by following us on social media and sharing our posts. Of course, if you are able to make a purchase that also helps us immensely! We are small businesses, and all of your help means the world to us.
What is next for Emma Hollingsworth?
I have some very exciting collabs which will be released very soon. It’s all top secret at the moment, but I can’t wait until they drop. I also just had my first ever solo exhibition that ran for a few weeks in Meanjin, and that has inspired me to think bigger and better. I have several personal projects and ideas that are in production as well, but one of my favourite passions is clothing. One day I will have my own fashion label with beautifully designed and made items that feature my artworks. Watch this space!
Creating art for a living has also opened a world of conversation and has allowed non-Indigenous people to learn more about my culture, and the plight of my mob.
