Behind the Design: A Conversation with Aboriginal Artist Maria Watson-Trudgett

At Urban Road, we acknowledge that Aboriginal is centred on storytelling and holds deep cultural value and stylistic diversity and themes, each unique to the artist or their community. Maria Watson-Trudgett artworks are grounded in connections to Country and her culture.

A proud Wiradyuri woman from ‘Freshwater Country,’ Maria’s work reflects a rich cultural legacy and a deeply personal creative journey. Her distinctive painting style results in artworks that feel both emotionally intimate and culturally powerful.

Maria has been part of the Urban Road family since 2021, and we’re honoured to collaborate with her once again in time for NAIDOC Week 2025. Her new collection is layered with symbolism and meaning, flowing shapes and earthy tones of the natural environment. Maria’s artworks reflect a deep love for her culture and strong connection to her Country.

In this special edition of Behind the Design, Maria shares a bit about herself - from her artistic beginnings to the symbols she uses in her works, and what Country means to her.

Tell us a bit about you.

"I am a Koori woman from ‘Freshwater Country’ of Wiradyuri. I am a First Nations Consultant and Aboriginal artist. I am self-taught and paint in acrylics. Painting quietens my mind and supports me to connect to my culture, family and Country. It creates a sense of belonging and strengthens my Aboriginal identity."

How did your painting journey begin?

"I started painting to relax from the stress of full-time University studies in the early 2000s. After a lot of expressed interest in my artwork and strong encouragement from an Aboriginal Elder, who advised that I have a responsibility to share my cultural stories and preserve my cultural traditions; I started painting for several art exhibitions and competitions.

My first entry won the main award and the artwork sold. Since then, I have created many commissioned artworks for corporate and private collectors, both national and international. I have won several awards and shown nationally in different galleries and exhibitions, including Parliament House."

For people discovering your artwork for the first time, how would you describe your artistic style?

"My painting style is a contemporary fusion of abstract art and iconography, which is Aboriginal symbols. I use flowing lines and groups of symbols, to narrate a story. These movements echo the way my old people communicated with me while drawing flowing impressions and symbols into the ground.

It was their way of visually sharing knowledge with me about my culture. I mimic their movements in my artwork as a way of preserving my cultural traditions and convey my stories. Sometimes, I use only dots to tell a story."

What are the symbols and their meanings in your artwork?

"The symbols I use represent many elements of my culture and Country. Such as, mountains, hills, rivers, waterholes, significant sites, people, meeting places, family gatherings, animal tracks and much more.

It's also important to understand that each language group has symbols specific to their culture, region and Country. Although some Aboriginal painting symbols may look similar, the meanings may be very different."

Connection to Country is often central to Aboriginal art. Can you describe your own relationship to Country and how this specifically informs your art?

"For me, ‘Country’ is all things, it is a place of belonging and a way of life. Country incorporates the rivers, creeks, waterholes, hills and valleys, plants, animals, and people.

Country embraces the seasons, constellations of the sky, traditional and contemporary Stories. These elements are reflected throughout my artworks."

More from Maria Watson-Trudgett

Blending contemporary expression with cultural tradition, Maria Watson-Trudgett’s collection captures the strength, beauty, and spirit of First Nations storytelling.

Maria Watson-Trudgett Collection

Can you share a bit about your heritage?

"Wiradyuri people are the largest group of First Peoples via land mass in NSW.

WIRADYURI is also spelt using a ‘J’, or spelt Yiradyuri in other locations of my Country. We have strong connections to the three major rivers that run across Wiradyuri Country.

Murrumbidgee (Known by its traditional name)
Gulari (Lachlan)
Womboy (Macquarie)

Wiradyuri people are ‘River People’, skilled hunters, fisher-gathers, bush trackers and intelligent environmental scientists. Growing up by the rivers and in the surrounding bush was my way of life and an important element of my families’ cultural connection and way of life.

The natural environment sustained our every need, and our lives were deeply woven into the rhythms of the landscapes."

This collection launches around NAIDOC Week 2025 - a time of celebration, reflection & cultural pride. What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?

"For me, it is a time to reflect on my Elders and the people that came before me. I acknowledge their strength, resilience and campaigning for equality and human rights.

It is also a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of First Nations peoples to our shared society. This may include the area of journalism, sport, music, television, movies, the arts etc.

Equally, it means recognising the contributions of First Nations colleagues, health professionals, teachers, your local businesses or friends."

What has been your favourite part about collaborating with Urban Road and creating your new collection?

"I have been collaborating with Urban Road since 2021. I greatly appreciate our collaboration and the opportunity to share my culture and artworks with Urban Road and their customers.

The creative process is always fun. The team provided me with five different and very beautiful colour palettes to take inspiration from when producing the collection. The clear communication when discussing the artistic process was invaluable, as it is important to me to create with Urban Road customers in mind."

What are your aspirations for people seeing your new collection?

"I am passionate about positively influencing people’s attitudes and awareness of First Nations peoples and our diverse cultures. I am equally passionate to share my culture via my artworks and their stories. It enables me to preserve my cultural traditions."

Final Thoughts

Maria Watson-Trudgett’s new collection is a powerful expression of cultural identity, knowledge and connection. Through abstract stylistic forms, symbolism, storytelling and a deeply intuitive creative process, Maria invites you to see her works not just as something to hang on your wall, but to recognise that owning one of her works contributes to the preservation of the oldest living culture on earth.

This collaboration honours the strength and beauty of contemporary Aboriginal art, and we’re so proud to share it with you during NAIDOC Week and beyond.

Explore the Maria Watson-Trudgett Collection and discover artworks that speak from the heart and connect us to Australia’s First Nations cultures.