Kimberley textile artist turns family history and Country into runway designs
By Katherine Glass
Rowena Morgan (centre) surronded by her award winning designs
A Kimberley artist whose work has appeared on runways across Australia says her textile practice is rooted in family, Country and the stories passed down by her grandparents.
Rowena Morgan began painting as a child, learning alongside her grandmother before later developing her practice across printmaking, textiles and design.
She said moving to Broome helped her bring those skills together.
“I’ve been painting since I was very young and learning to paint with my gran,” she said.
“I moved to Broome and I really learnt textiles. I’ve just learnt to put the two together.”
Her work is known for its ochre and earthy tones, with designs often drawing on Country, water systems and family stories.
When people see her textiles on a runway, she said she hopes they first notice the beauty of the work, before taking time to understand the deeper meaning behind it.
“If they go deeper and have that yarn with the artist, there’s a story or songline behind that piece,” she said.
Rowena describes herself not only as a textile artist, but as someone whose work sits between art and education.
She said much of her practice is about sharing knowledge, keeping stories alive and showing how Aboriginal art can move across different forms.
Her current projects include a Gija Country design and a new digital Kimberley waterways design, which will represent rivers and water places across the region.
She said a typical day often involves planning, testing ideas and working on small collections.
“I do little projects by myself all the time,” she said.
“Through those little projects I create little lines, small one-offs.”
Those projects have included satin pyjamas, kaftans and small batches of dresses using her own textile patterns.
Rowena said inspiration often begins with experimenting.
She might start with a hand block print, lay it across a table, then add dot work or colour to build meaning into the piece.
“I like exploring and mixing what I know and learning as I go as well,” she said.
Family history is central to her practice.
She said many of the places she paints are connected to her grandmother’s traditional lands, where her grandmother was removed from as part of the Stolen Generations.
Both of her grandparents were members of the Stolen Generations, and her work also includes designs connected to the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers.
She said painting those places is a way of honouring their lives and keeping their stories present.
“That’s her story, that’s her journey,” she said.
“I’m blessed with this beautiful art side where I can tell their story and create beautiful pieces.”
In 2023, Rowena won a national Indigenous fashion award for textile design, a moment she said came as a shock.
At the time, she was helping run a print workshop when a television crew arrived to interview artists who had been shortlisted.
She said she did not expect to win.
“It was such a big thing being a WA artist and to be able to win a national fashion award,” she said.
“I never ever thought I’d win that sort of award.”
But she said some of the most powerful moments come outside awards and runways, when she sees people wearing her designs in the street.
She said it was empowering to see someone wearing fabric they had bought and turned into their own outfit.
“It feels really good,” she said.
“It’s like a little high, a natural high.”
Rowena said she would like to continue building her practice and hopes one day the right grant could help her create a full clothing line.
For now, she is continuing to work in small batches while developing new designs for future projects.
Her advice to young Aboriginal artists is to connect with their local art centre.
“We’re always looking for our young ones to come and sign up and become members,” she said.
“That’s where the learning and growing is.”
For Rowena, the journey from painting with her grandmother to seeing those stories carried on textiles is about survival, memory and strength.
She said her grandparents’ story includes pain, but also the future that came from it.
“The good is us coming out of it,” she said.
“Keeping that part of them alive.”
To purchase one of Rowena Morgan’s designs, visit her Instagram profile @rowenamorgan45 and send her a direct message.
Listen to the full interview below: