NAIDOC Week 2025: Meet the First Nations women telling our story through art

“When organisations invest in authentic Aboriginal artwork, they’re creating opportunities to acknowledge Country, celebrate First Nations cultures and start conversations that may not have happened otherwise.”

Chloe Eastwood, Bindi Bindi Art

Back in March, we announced an exciting opportunity for First Nations artists to design a signature artwork reflecting Kirinari’s First Nations story, identity and commitment to inclusion, respect and cultural connection.

This NAIDOC Week, we’re proud to introduce the talented artists whose design has been commissioned to bring this vision to life, telling our First Nations story, and symbolising our commitment to meaningful Reconciliation.

Meet Tay’la Shearley and Chloe Eastwood

Tay-la, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and Chloe, a proud Ngemba woman, both grew up – and continue to live – on Dharug country, an area encompassing the greater Sydney basin.

Partners in life and in art, they work to create contemporary Aboriginal artworks that celebrate connection to Country, community and culture.

Together they are Bindi Bindi Art.

The artistic journey

For both Tay’la and Chloe, art has always been important.

Chloe, a third-generation Aboriginal artist, grew up watching and learning from her father and grandfather. Storytelling through art was passed down through the generations, and creating artwork was a natural way to connect with culture and continue that legacy.

For Tay-la, painting became a way to strengthen her connection to her Wiradjuri heritage and explore culture through creativity.

“Aboriginal art is so much more than creating something beautiful. Every artwork tells a story, it represents people, Country, journeys, relationships and shared experiences.

“The most rewarding part is seeing people connect with the finished artwork and knowing those stories will continue to be shared long after we’ve finished creating them.”

Bindi Bindi Art

Since its inception, Bindi Bindi Art has gone from strength to strength, collaborating with organisations across Australia to create meaningful and culturally informed artworks that celebrate connection, community, and culture.

“For us, it’s about creating meaningful connections rather than simply creating artwork,” said Chloe.

“When organisations invest in authentic Aboriginal artwork, they’re creating opportunities to acknowledge Country, celebrate First Nations cultures and start conversations that may not have happened otherwise.”

Kirinari

Tay’la and Chloe were excited to tender to design an artwork that told the Kirinari First Nations story – and thrilled when they learned their submission had been successful.

Both Tay’la and Chloe resonated with Kirinari’s commitment to supporting people to live meaningful, independent lives within their own communities.

“We wanted to capture more than just the services Kirinari provides,” said Tay’la.

“We wanted to tell a story about connection, belonging, trust and the relationships that help people thrive. It was important to us that the artwork authentically reflected Kirinari’s purpose while celebrating Aboriginal culture in a meaningful and respectful way.”

And for Tay’la and Chloe, who have a child with a disability, this was personal.

 “Having a child with a disability has given us a deeper appreciation for the importance of organisations that genuinely support individuals and families,” explained Chloe.

“We understand how much it means to feel connected, respected and empowered, and those values are reflected in the work Kirinari does every day.”

NAIDOC Week 2026

Tay’la believes one of the most important things about NAIDOC Week is that it reminds people that their culture is not just a part of history – it’s alive, it’s strong, and it’s continuing to grow.

“We’re still telling our stories, practising culture and creating new pathways for future generations.

Tay’la also talks about the opportunity NAIDOC Week offers non-Indigenous people, inviting them to get involved, ask questions, learn and celebrate alongside First Nations Peoples.

“Those conversations help build understanding and stronger relationships, and that’s how real reconciliation happens.”

What next?

Tay’la and Chloe hope is to continue creating opportunities for connection through art.

We want to keep working with organisations that are genuinely committed to reconciliation and cultural safety, helping them tell their stories in a way that’s respectful, authentic and meaningful,” says Chloe.

“As Aboriginal artists, we feel a responsibility to help educate people through storytelling. Art has a unique way of opening conversations and making culture accessible.

“We hope our work contributes to a future where Aboriginal culture is not only recognised during NAIDOC Week, but celebrated, respected and embedded in everyday life.”