Who Am I?

Hi! I’m Maddy Barbary Copley, a proud Kureinji woman, Aboriginal artist, weaver and the creative behind Waratah Artworks.

Born in Mildura, Victoria, I live and create on Latje Latje Country, where I am constantly inspired by the Country around me — the rich red dirt, endless blue skies, changing Mallee landscapes and, of course, the mighty Murray River.

My art is deeply connected to culture, Country, community and storytelling. My style brings together traditional storytelling with a bold, contemporary flair, using colour, movement and intricate patterns to create pieces that are vibrant, meaningful and uniquely my own.

My Kureinji Connection

I am a proud Kureinji woman, with my people’s traditional lands spanning along the Murray River from the Wentworth area through to Robinvale.

We are river people, and the Murray has always been an important part of our connection to Country, culture and community. The river and surrounding landscapes hold generations of stories, knowledge and connection, and continue to be a strong source of inspiration in both my life and my creative practice.

Our Kureinji totem is the catfish, further connecting us to the waterways and river Country that have sustained and shaped our people for generations.

This connection to the river runs through so much of what I create. You will often see Country reflected in my work through flowing lines, waterways, meeting places, earthy landscapes and the colours and stories of the Mallee.

Why I Create

At the heart of everything I create is my mob.

I am continually inspired by the strength and resilience of my family and community, particularly my mother and grandmother, whose dedication to reconnecting with, strengthening and reawakening culture has had a profound influence on who I am and the work I do.

For me, creating is about much more than making something beautiful. It is a way of keeping culture strong, sharing stories, celebrating identity and creating connection.

Through my work, I hope to honour the stories of those who came before me, celebrate the strength of our culture today, and play my part in carrying culture and stories forward for the generations still to come.

What I Do

My creative practice has grown to include original artworks, commissioned pieces, digital artwork and design, traditional weaving, murals and collaborative community projects.

My work has been featured through Yarn Marketplace, and I have participated in group exhibitions at Gallery Unbound. I have also had the opportunity to work with local organisations, schools, businesses and community programs on projects that bring Aboriginal art, storytelling and culture into a wide range of spaces.

I also love taking creativity beyond the studio and into the community.

I facilitate Aboriginal art, painting and traditional weaving workshops, creating welcoming spaces where people can come together, learn, create and connect.

I have also worked alongside organisations to create artwork and visual designs for Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs). I love the collaborative nature of these projects — listening to the stories, ideas and values of a community or organisation and bringing them together through meaningful artwork and design.

What I Love

I love bold colour, getting my hands messy, weaving, painting, being on Country, learning from my family and community, and finding new ways to share culture through creativity.

Whether I’m holding a paintbrush, weaving with my hands, creating a digital design, painting a wall, working alongside community or sharing knowledge through a workshop, there is one thing that connects everything I do:

Culture. Country. Creativity. Connection.

That’s what Waratah Artworks is all about — creating with purpose, sharing stories, celebrating culture and bringing people together along the way.