Jacinta-rai Ridgeway-Maahs

"One of the reasons I love working with Koh Living is how they celebrate Australia and support our Indigenous culture through the eyes of local Indigenous artists like myself.

Providing opportunity for everyone across the globe to connect with country through a little piece of Indigenous Australian art for their homes and to share these stories with their loved ones.

Koh Living understand the importance of evolving cultures and capturing this in art inspired forms , they are passionate in preserving Indigenous culture that tells our story through beautiful art. 

Their unique platform and support for emerging artists helps to support all communities across country. 

I’m grateful for my collaboration with Koh Living as it has not only given me the opportunity to have my art shared with the world through their beautiful products but it has given me the opportunity to support my family, community and culture as well. 

I’m proud to partner with Koh Living and I am excited for what is next to come."

~ JACINTA-RAI RIDGEWAY-MAAHS

Creating on Butchulla country, Jacinta-rai Ridgeway-Maahs embraces the earthy tones and bold colours of Queensland to create vivid depictions of country, community, culture and family. ‘Home’ represents the way we find our path and walk life’s journey on country.

As individuals, we each contribute to the rich tapestry of community – all different yet equally essential for a balanced environment. It shows that we can walk together in unity and harmony, we can truly make a difference for generations to come.

‘Journeys in the Sun’ tells of her Worimi people’s experiences as they travelled across country. The circles represent various mobs,
yarning with their young, teaching them how to survive using sun, sky and sea. The tracks connect individual mobs and show how they
come together in times of celebration or need.

This design depicts the journey of life; all that we were, are, and will one day be. The past is inseparably tied to Country. Our ancestors understood the need to know and love the land that gave them life, and this echoes through to the present. Today, we find solace in connecting to country, sharing knowledge and storytelling. The ‘Tree of Life’ design then turns to the future, as we dream of the endless possibilities that life affords to each of us.

The rainbow in this piece represents the many Ngurras (our clan groups) that form our community.

The deep blue circles symbolise the coming together to care for our waterways and abundant ocean life.

Educating our future generations of lessons learnt through time and the importance of community respecting all that mother earth has provided. The soft circles , golds , greens , coral and yellows show how for generations our Worimi people / salt water people , have maintained close connections with land and sea - protecting all that it embraces to ensure a heathy , vibrant and sustainable future for all Ngurras and their respective mobs across country.

Inspired by the colours of the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia.

We are One represents our First Nations people’s and the differen mobs we come from all around Australia. It represents how even though we come from different mobs around Australia we strive to work and walk together as one.

It symbolises the country on which we live, love and learn on. It represents and acknowledges our First Nations peoples being the traditional owners of this land. Always was, Always will be.

The main wave across this piece represents the beginning, the wave of time from which all things are created- where our story starts.

Below the wave we have the beautiful blues and greens signifying the importance of water, our oceans and rivers and how it is essential for every life form in order to exist, adapt and flourish. The white, creams and peaches show how through creation we connect communities working together in order to survive and thrive.

Our land and peoples are symbolised through the rainbow’s connection to the wave of time with each run in the rainbow sharing our story from the time of creation as we grow and evolve. Where we have been, where we are today and where we are going – Our past, our present, Our future.

Representing her inner peace and the path she takes as she embarks on her individual journey through life, she stays grounded as she guides and protects those around her, giving them strength and reminding them of the importance of believing in and achieving their dreams. She is the symbol of mother earth and the circle of life who nurtures spiritual development and fosters wisdom, patience and determination as she navigates life’s challenges.

Infinity symbolises a parent and guardians infinite love for their family. Infinity means forever, with out bound, has no end, unlimited- just like a parents/carers love. It signifies the incredible impact they have on their child’s life and the strong imprint they leave on their child’s heart forever. Making beautiful memories, helping each other up when they are down, being each others safe meeting place and continually growing together.

Representing strength and prosperity the turtle symbolises longevity, safety and wisdom. She reminds us of the importance of making peace, taking time to walk together to do what we can to protect our country, our fauna and our waterways. Mother Earth will then reward our communities ensuring an abundant environment for future generations to foster.