International Women’s Day 2025: Top 5 Indigenous Artists
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world, and today, we shine a spotlight on five incredible female Indigenous artists making waves on Bluethumb Art. Their works not only showcase the beauty of Indigenous art but also carry deep cultural significance, storytelling, and connection to Country.
1. Louise Numina
Louise Numina, from Utopia, Northern Territory, grew up surrounded by creativity and culture. As one of six sisters and three brothers, she was taught to paint by her aunties, the renowned artists Gloria and Kathleen Petyarre. After moving to Darwin and earning a Diploma of Fine Arts, Louise has exhibited her works across the country, earning international recognition among collectors and institutions.
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Her paintings primarily depict Kurrajong Bush Medicine Leaves, an integral part of Indigenous healing practices. These intricate and mesmerising patterns represent the process of collecting and preparing the leaves, which are used to treat various ailments. Louise’s ability to translate this tradition into contemporary artworks makes her a standout in the Indigenous art world.
Bush Medicine Leaves Healing Leaves by Louise Numina.
2. Karen Lee Mungarrja
A proud Wiradjuri woman of the Tubba-Gah clan, Karen Lee Mungarrja brings storytelling and memory into her abstract landscape paintings. Living and working on Darug country in Penrith, NSW, she explores the concept of ‘memory’ as it relates to the land, incorporating traditional Aboriginal iconography such as songlines to map out visual narratives.
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Karen’s work challenges the idea that the past is separate from the present. She believes in its ongoing presence, woven into the fabric of the land and memory. Her art has been widely recognised, with commissions from brands like Cadbury and Life Apparel, as well as being collected both nationally and internationally.
Karen Lee Mungarrja collaborates with Cadbury for Roses.
3. Renee Clifton
Based in Broome, Western Australia, Renee Clifton is a contemporary Aboriginal artist whose works reflect the landscapes, flora, and fauna of her surroundings. Inspired by her mixed heritage—her mother being from the Kokatha group in South Australia and her father from the Kimberley—Renee paints intricate depictions of hunting and gathering practices, waterholes, and bush animals.
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Her art is influenced by the stories passed down from her elders, honouring Indigenous traditions while presenting them in a fresh, contemporary style. The organic patterns in her paintings encapsulate the rhythms of nature, ensuring that her people’s cultural narratives continue to inspire and educate future generations.
4. Gidabul Doobay
For over three decades, Gidabul Doobay has dedicated herself to painting, honouring her late father’s legacy as an artist, storyteller, and elder. She comes from the Gidabul/Ngarkabul/Widjabul tribes on her mother’s side and the Wonnarua/Dhunghutti tribes on her father’s side. Her art is deeply personal, recounting family stories passed down through generations.
River Dreaming by Gidabul Doobay.
Beyond her individual artistic achievements, Gidabul is passionate about community engagement. She facilitates art workshops for children, mentors vulnerable women, and leads yarning circles in a women’s rehabilitation centre. Through her work, she fosters healing, connection, and cultural pride, making her an invaluable contributor to both the art world and Indigenous communities.
5. Maria-Watson Trudgett
A proud Wiradyuri woman, Maria Watson-Trudgett’s paintings are contemporary expressions of her deep cultural connections. As a self-taught artist working with acrylics, she finds painting to be a powerful medium that quietens her mind while strengthening her ties to Country, culture, and ancestors. For over two decades, Maria has been painting and exhibiting her works, earning recognition from private collectors and organisations both nationally and internationally.
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Maria’s art is a fusion of abstract and cultural motifs, using flowing lines and Aboriginal symbols to narrate stories and preserve traditions. Inspired by her upbringing on Wiradyuri Country, she paints landscapes, rivers, and the natural elements that define her heritage. Her work reflects the deep relationship between land and identity, reinforcing the importance of preserving Aboriginal art and culture for future generations.
My Culture, My Country by Maria Watson-Trudgett
Honouring Female Indigenous Artists
These five extraordinary Indigenous Artists are not only artists but also storytellers, cultural custodians, and educators. Through their paintings, they bridge past and present, ensuring that the voices of their ancestors continue to be heard. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their talent, resilience, and the invaluable contributions they make to both the art world and their communities.
Shop our latest curation, showcasing the Top Indigenous Women Artists on Bluethumb today.
