Lucy Simpson

Born and based in Sydney, Lucy Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay woman belonging to the freshwater country of the Walgett and Angledool areas of North West NSW. Graduating with a Bachelor of Design at the College of Fine Arts (COFA ), Lucy Simpson majored in Graphics and Textiles, and as a graduating student in 2010 received the COFA Object Award in Design along-side the Longina Phillips Textiles Award. Previously Lucy has also earned a Commendation in Textile Design, and a nomination as 2008’s Graduate of the Year Award from the Design Institute of Australia. Gaawaa Miyay (River Daughter), established in 2009, is a fresh and inspiring new take on contemporary Australian and Indigenous design, drawing inspiration from family, culture and landscape. Gaawaa Miyay combines age old traditions of narrative and storytelling with contemporary prints and design to create the next generation of (Indigenous) visual storytelling.

As well as designing textiles, Lucy currently works as a freelance graphic designer and has created works for The Museum of Contemporary Art, Taronga Zoo, The University of New South Wales, NSW Reconciliation Council.

Council, Marrickville Council, City of Sydney Council, Redfern Community Centre, Gadigal Information Services, Gadigal Music and Music NSW in branding and print media. Identified in Monument magazine’s ‘Next Generation: Ten Names to watch in Architecture and design today’, and, Indigenous Business Spokesperson for Industry and Investment NSW’s Small Business September 2010 , Lucy, through Gaawaa Miyay Designs continues to take Yuwaalaraay stories of family and country to a growing audience both in Australia and throughout the world.

The below artwork was featured in the Indigenous Law Bulletin November / December 2010 Volume 7 Issue 21.