MERRYN APMA’S CULTURAL DESIGNS SHINE AT NATIONAL NAIDOC AWARDS
Merryn Ampa (pictured second to the left) and her family wearing her designs.
Western Arrernte artist Merryn Apma Daley has captured national attention after wearing her own silk design at the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards in Mparntwe.
Merryn attended the ceremony to celebrate her grandson, Tyson Neal-Edwards, who was named the 2026 National NAIDOC Youth Award winner for his work connecting culture, Country, wellbeing and community.
Merryn’s fashion also drew plenty of attention. Her family arrived wearing a collection featuring her artwork, including a three-piece suit, jackets and a silk scarf, while Merryn wore a pure silk dress.
Merryn Ampa and Tyson Neal-Edwards wearing her exquisite designs.
The clothing featured her Apma black-headed snake design, representing her connection to her Western Arrernte family and bloodline. Merryn said she is now the oldest remaining member of the Apma line and carries the responsibility of passing that identity to her siblings, children and grandchildren.
“It’s a huge honour, particularly because I was removed from my family. To come right back and be able to develop this from my bloodline is amazing.”
Merryn said the recognition was especially powerful because she was wearing her artwork on her own Country, surrounded by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across Australia.
Her journey into fashion began after she experimented with having her artwork printed onto fabric by a manufacturer in Kashmir. The result encouraged her to take her designs beyond canvas and explore clothing, textiles and accessories.
The suit jacket Merryn Ampa designed and Tyson Neal-Edwards wore to the NAIDOC awards.
Through her business, APMA Creations, Merryn now transforms her artwork into fabric, fashion and homewares. She told Ngaarda Media that her artwork is licensed across more than 60 products sold around Australia.
For Merryn, the growing business is also part of a much longer journey of healing and reconnecting with family and culture after being removed from her family. She said she never imagined becoming an artist, but has spent decades using her paintings to share her personal journey and connection to Country.
“It felt so good to wear my designs on my own Country. I felt that I’d made it and that I was accepted by my own people.”
Merryn said one social-media post featuring the designs had attracted more than 100,000 views, with the response opening new possibilities for the label.
She is now seeking an investor to help expand APMA Creations and bring her fashion collection to a wider market, saying she is ready to put her hand up for support after more than 30 years working in Aboriginal affairs and supporting community.