Ripples through time

This painting captures the Daintree River as it winds its rippling lifeblood through the world’s oldest rainforest. It weaves its way into every corner and bringing life to everything it touches.

The blue winding waterway symbolises the depth and importance of this ancient river, while the vibrant green shrubbery represents the strength and resilience of this prehistoric rainforest. Within the ripples and leaves are glimpses of wildlife—crocodiles, turtles, and fish—that thrive within this interconnected ecosystem, bound together by the river’s flow.

This artwork highlights the Daintree’s significance as a natural wonder which has sustained the world’s oldest continuous living cultures in the north east corner of Australia. It reminds us of the delicate balance it sustains and calls for its protection so future generations can experience its beauty and life-giving force.

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My name is Samantha, and I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with ancestral connections to both the Eastern and Central Islands, as well as Kiwi and Scottish ancestry. I was born on the mainland on Turrbal/Yuggera Country and raised on Kaurna Yerta.

My paintings are a contemporary expression of my deep connection with First Nations peoples across many countries. Each piece reflects the relationships, stories, and truths I’ve gathered through my journey.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting over 70 communities across Australia and listening to thousands of people share their lived experiences with me. These stories nourish my soul and deepen my connection to the rich and complex fabric of this nation.

But listening also carries weight. Time and time again, I’m reminded of the ongoing inequities our people face — legacies of colonisation still embedded in our systems and institutions.

My art emerged as a form of healing. Taught to me by healers in different parts of the country, these techniques became a way to process the vicarious trauma I was absorbing while engaging with communities across areas like health and wellbeing, education, child protection, incarceration, domestic and family violence, employment, and justice.

Through repetition and rhythm, these artistic methods calm my mind and allow me to fully process what I’ve heard. Each piece is part of my healing — keeping me strong, grounded, and able to continue fighting for our rights and elevating community voices in my professional life.

Every artwork I create is inspired by a real story — a moment, a voice, a truth I carry with me — and each one stands as a powerful reminder of the collective hope we share for a better future.