Hi my name is Emma Hollingsworth
I am the artist behind Mulganai. I am a Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u and Girramay woman from North Queensland, Australia. My work reflects my own story as a young Indigenous woman navigating a modern world, and it pays homage to my ancestors, family, and community. I draw inspiration from my experiences, the world around me, and from my childhood which was spent exploring my traditional Country with my family.
I aim to not only capture the beauty of my culture and family, but to preserve its history and cultural significance. In my family we love to share stories and my favourite way to do that is through paintings. In that, I am
also teaching about my land, culture, and people. Our culture is everything to us, it is part of our identity. Creating has always been my way of expressing my identity and writing myself into existence, and I am very grateful to be able to do what I love everyday.
Tip: Mulganai is pronounced ‘Mol - gan - eye’ (with a hard g) and means morning star or guiding light in Language. It is also my middle name.
@mulgani | www.mulgani.com
Living on Gamu
This is the story of my childhood growing up on Yidinji Country. Living in the big city now I often reminisce about my childhood which was spent growing up in the bush.
The 3 large circles depict Yarrabah, Gordonvale and Cairns, the three main townships near where I lived. It depicts my family travelling across Country, hunting, fishing, and spending time with mob. The pink and yellow hues represent the sunset over the ocean which we’d watch every evening as a family. The blue represents the bay where we’d swim and catch Minya (meat/fish).
Oyster 2.0
Oysters remind me of childhood days by the beach, searching for them on rocks, walking barefoot through damp sand, and breathing in the salty air. I’d watch the boys untangle fishing nets in the low tide while Mum and my Aunty yarned by the fire. We’d gather sticks from the bush, wary of snakes, then feast on crabs with lemon as smoke rose to keep the mosquitoes away. Those moments of mud, fire, and sea breeze capture the simplicity and joy of life back then.
Wulmina (Woman)
This piece is inspired by the women who came before me - my ancestors, the matriarchs who forged the path, and every woman, whether bound by blood or not, whose presence has shaped my journey. This piece is a tribute to their strength, wisdom, and the shared experiences of womanhood that continue to influence who I am today.
It is a celebration of femininity in all its forms: the fierce and the gentle, the soft and the unyielding, and the powerful, complex beauty that lives within every woman.