Mahalia Mabo is a proud Manbarra, Nywaigi and Meriam woman. She comes from a long line of artists and creatives. Her paternal grandparents, the late activists Dr Eddie Koiki Mabo and Dr Bonita Mabo were both artists and creatives, her father a sculptor and mother and maternal grandmother painters. Her artwork represents her connection to Country, family and her saltwater heritage. Her paternal grandfather connects her to Mer in the Torres Straits and her paternal grandmother connects her to the Great Barrier Reef and its creation story. Mahalia is an intuitive artist.