Holly Sanders has been one of the most successful artists in the Nerida Hansen Fabrics offering, and I could not let Naidoc Week pass without highlighting this beautiful work.

Holly is a contemporary artist, teacher and proud Bundjalung woman from the North Coast of New South Wales. She currently lives and works on Yuin Country on the South Coast of New South Wales. Through her art she aims to share her stories, culture and country in a contemporary way.

With only a few weeks until I will no longer be selling Holli's work through my website, I wanted to reflect on how Holly and I were able to redefine how we sew, wear and make beautiful things with textiles using First Nations Artwork.

Hollys work in the past has produced hundreds of beautiful garments with their bright hues and strong pink palettes. The "Shaping Country" collection had a couple of hidden gems that I have not revealed before, which lends itself to a much more glamorous aesthetic with strong deep greens and olives. The warmer pinks are much more tonal than before, and will add depth and warmth to our indigenous-inspired wardrobes.

First nations art holds a special place in my heart. The recent and unfolding environmental and social challenges we are facing as Australians need action, and the deep wounds of industry and politics in this nation need healing. We are so privileged as Australians to have our First Nations peoples who's connection to land, country and sky hold the key to the health of our nations heart. It is just so unfortunate that too many of us are not listening.

Holly and I have the same vision for moving forward - working together, sharing the stories and celebrating our artists, who's work can educate us, and remind us that white Australia is just a small part of a much bigger, much more important picture.

A little more about the prints:

Shaping Country Prints

Shaping Country

This work is our hero which is the namesake of the collection. "Shaping Country". It represents the shaping of Country. For thousands of years and generations First Nations people managed, fostered and shaped the land carefully. A complex system of land management, fire stick farming, aqua and agriculture of managing native flora and fauna were sustained for thousands of years. First Nations people are the first farmers, and Early European explorers marvelled at the maintained open grassy plains growing on friable, spongy soil. These explorers failed to recognise this was not ‘natural,’ but the result of thousands of years of careful management by the land’s traditional custodians. Evidence from artworks, journals and plant lifecycles show how Aboriginal communities had a profound impact on caring and shaping the Country.

Hill Country

I love this beautiful fluid design. This work represents hills and Country, symbolising First Nations peoples ongoing connection to the land. The natural green colours represent the colours of the hills on Bundjalung Country. First Nations people are the ancient people of this land - we respect and listen to the land, our elders and the ancient spirits. Our ancestors have walked this sacred country for millennia and continue to live on in the land, the hills, the waters and the sky.

Bush Seed Country

I will be using this fabric to warm my winter wardrobe. "Bush Seed Country" represents the seeds and grasslands on Country which were the result of First Nations people who, for generation upon generation, actively and intelligently shaped and manicured. First Nations people are the first farmers and bread makers, and Early European explorers marvelled at the maintained open grassy plains. These explorers failed to recognise this was not ‘natural,’ but the result of thousands of years of careful management by the land’s traditional custodians. Many grass seed species are known to have made highly nutritious ‘bush breads’ and cakes.

Seed Pods on Country

I will be wearing this design on my organic cotton sateen and Tencel™ linen for evening and special occasion pieces. This piece represents bush seeds and pods on Jagun- Country. First Nations people were the worlds first bread makers and bakers. Seasonal seeds, grain, legumes, roots and nuts were ground into a flour and were then formed into a dough. Bread making was a labour intensive task, generally carried out by several women at once. Millstones for grinding seeds into flour have been discovered which date to be over 36 000 years old, which is well ahead of other civilisations, such as the Egyptians, that started baking early on.

To Celebrate this Joyful collection, I have included all 13 prints. This is your last few weeks to get hold of Holli's beautiful stories on textile.

What a privilege it has been. I will forever more be so indebted to our first nations people, who are able to show such care for our land, seas and sky, and pass on their infinite wisdom to all of us.

Nerida xx