Maria Watson Trudgett

Maria’s paintings express her connections to her Aboriginal culture in contemporary expressions!

Maria is Koori woman of Wiradyuri people and freshwater Country. She is a self-taught artist and has been painting and exhibiting for more than two decades. Maria creates artworks that connect her to her Aboriginal Culture, family and Country. She started painting to relax from the stress of full-time University studies in 2009. After a lot of expressed interest in her artwork and strong encouragement from an Aboriginal Elder, who advised that she has a responsibility to share her stories and keep her culture alive; Maria started painting for several art exhibitions and competitions. Her first entry won the main award, and her artwork sold. Since then, she has won several awards and shown nationally in different galleries and exhibitions, including Parliament House. Maria has created many commissioned artworks for corporate organisations and private collectors, both national and international. Maria’s painting style is a contemporary fusion of abstract art and cultural motifs, using flowing lines and groups of Aboriginal symbols, which echo the way her old people communicated with her, while drawing symbols and impressions into the ground. This is how Maria narrates a story on canvas and preserves her cultural traditions. Via her creations, Maria shares elements of her culture and Country.