OUR
CREATIVES

Bianca Barling-Seden brings visual communications and engagement expertise and experience working alongside Indigenous people and their communities.

Bianca holds a research Masters  in Visual Art and has experience in inclusive leadership, government and community engagement.

Bianca has lived and worked on the Thai Burma border and across the tropical north, including Arnhem Land, FNQ and the Torres Strait Islands.

Bianca is of Wendish, Irish and English settler heritage and identifies as a non-Indigenous Australian.

Richard Seden provides high-level cultural and engagement advice and  is developing his own art practice.

Richard has worked as an Indigenous Health Practitioner and Counsellor across Central Australia, Cape York, Larrakia Country and North East Arnhem Land for over 25 years.

Richard has family connections to the Torres Strait (Kaurareg/Dhoeybaw) – and the Coen (Kaantju) and Shelbourne Bay (Wuthati) communities of Cape York.

Kate FitzGerald brings exceptional project management, communication and coordination expertise – from her experience with Seven’s creative studio and media agencies in Malaysia and Bangkok.

Kate FitzGerald embeds high-level organisational and analytical and relationship skills across our Agency.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts Media and Cultural Studies from Macquarie University.

Sheree Jacobs brings diverse experience in communications and design across the non-profit, government and for-purpose sectors. Sheree has family connections to the Erub in the Torres Strait (Meriam). Sheree holds a Masters in Communication from Griffith University and is a Certified Associate in Project Management.

Bridgitte is a multi-disciplinary designer with nearly a decade of experience in the public and private sector. Bridgitte holds a Bachelor of Communication Design and has specific expertise with UX and Web Design.

Bridgitte is passionate about art and design to further positive social change with meaning and impact.

Malo is a young Digital Creator who is learning how to maintain the Saltwater People website. He was born in Arnhem Land (Nhulunbuy).

Malo is Torres Strait Islander, Wuthathi and Kaantju.

Bernard Lee Singleton is an accomplished craftsman, curator and designer, born and living in Cairns. Singleton grew up in Coen, Cape York. His mother is a Djabuguy woman born in Mona Mona mission near Kuranda and his father is an Umpila (east coast Cape York)/Yirrkandji man from the Yarrabah Community.

Bernie has worked with Saltwater People on projects for Australian National University, State Libraries Queensland and others.

Elizabeth Yanyi Close is a Panaka Skin Anangu woman from the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Language Groups, whose family links are to the communities of Pukutja and Amata in the APY Lands.

Elizabeth is now based in Adelaide after reconnecting with  her Grandmothers family (her Tjukurpa) and her Country from her Tjamu. This growth as an Aboriginal woman was profoundly reflected in the evolution of her artwork.

Elizabeth has worked with us on projects for the Productivity Commission and others.

Desirai is a proud Aboriginal woman from Gunggari Country, South West Queensland. Desirai’s practice reflects her Indigenous heritage, she works alongside her family and community to preserve and celebrate her Aboriginal culture.

Desirai’s work empowers young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their connection to culture & Country. Desirai is known for her culturally strong and independent women and non-binary characters.

Bree is a Kalkadoon artist who works in the public sector and also as an illustrator and painter. Her contemporary art often addresses socials issues and themes including mental health, feminism and cultural identity. Passionate about creativity and expression, Bree works across mixed mediums to express connection and story.

Bree has worked with us on the Insight: Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs (QLD Health)

Danielle Leedie Gray is an artist, designer, and proud Bidjara and Wakka Wakka woman of south-west and east Queensland, Australia. Danielle creates bold contemporary pieces that make people feel joy and connection; her artworks are a unique expression. Danielle’s work is guided by a deep sense of empathy towards her cultural heritage and family history and invites unity and healing through the unique combination of culture and contemporary vision.

Blak Lens is a community-made collective of established, emerging, and aspiring Blak Photographers & Videographers across Australia. Founded by First Nations photographer Michael Jalaru Torres, these photographers have joined forces to support and amplify each other, with the long-term aim of building a professional and cultural network that will change people’s perceptions of First Nations Australians.

Leicolhn McKellar is a Budjiti and Kunja woman from South-East Queensland who made her home for many years in North East Arnhem Land and now works from Darwin.

A professional photographer, Leicolhn is well-known for capturing the intrinsic beauty of Aboriginal culture. Her focus is on forming real connections with her clients and expressing their stories, uncensored and raw, through her portraiture.

Leicolhn has worked with Saltwater People on multiple projects for Geoscience Australia and the Australian Electoral Commission.

Ella is a graphic designer working across different projects including illustration and animation. Originally from Indonesia, she is currently working and studying in Naarm/Melbourne. She graduated and spent years working as an interior designer before expanding to graphic design. She is also actively pursuing her lifelong interest in art. Fields aside, she just absolutely loves to create.

Talei Elu has spent the last six years working with the federal government in roles that focused on Indigenous economic development in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and more recently with AIATSIS. Talei is now working from Seisia in remote Cape York.

Talei is a prolific photographer and creator of Faces of the Straits and recently shot a campaign for Vogue. Talei is a communications specialist and well known community advocate.

Talei has worked with us on the Australian Electoral Commission campaign and as a scriptwriter and storyteller on our work with the traditional owners of the Great Barrier Reef.

Descending from the Gunggandji Peoples (Yarrabah) through her father (and her mother of Sicilian heritage), she uses this strong connection to family and country as a foundation for all of her art. Inspired by the many Elders, children and all the Traditional Owners that has been a part of her life through her working career in Indigenous Law and Native Title, she continues to expand herself as a developing, grassroots artist. Her stories flow strongly through her works on canvas, portraits on paper, photography and her true passion for textiles and clothing design. Simone continues to experiment and progress through different mediums with each piece keeping within cultural and mainstream sustainability practices.

Kamsani Bin Salleh (Kambarni) is descended from the Ballardong Noongar people and Nimunburr and Yawuru people of the Kimberley region in Western Australia.

Kambarni’s work reflects the natural world with his intricate designs and graphically interprets both pre-colonial and post-colonial Australian histories. Kambarni re-tells old stories and creating new narratives through his community engagement.

In 2018 Kamsani Bin Salleh was named WA’s Young Person of the Year and was awarded the Mission Australia Cultural Endeavours Award.

Kambarni worked with us on the State Libraries of Queensland’s ‘Sovereign Stories” exhibition.