Native Creations Australia
Gunggandji • Artist
Image: Native Creations Australia
About
Hand crafted by Garth Murgha and painted by Estelle Tranby, Native Creations is a family-owned workshop and studio based in Babinda, Queensland, producing authentically handcrafted Aboriginal gifts, souvenirs, and artefacts created by local Indigenous artists.
The practice is led by a Gunggandji man, Garth Murgha who was born at the old Yarrabah Mission Hospital and raised between Cairns and Kuranda in the rainforest. Much of his life has been spent working and camping on Country, maintaining a strong connection to land and sea.
His artistic practice is inspired by watching his father make artefacts as a young boy, alongside a deep spiritual connection to his traditional Country. Working with raw natural materials, he handcrafts traditional objects that reflect native animals of the region in their natural habitats, as well as Dreaming stories of the Djabugay people.
Native Creations produces a range of works including boomerangs, clapsticks, coolamons, didgeridoos, shields, spears, jewellery, and rainforest shadow boxes.