GREAT artistic accomplishment by two Indigenous creatives on the Coffs Coast has been recognised through a statewide scholarship program.

Marley Morgan, who lives in Glenreagh and Bernard Kelly-Edwards, a Bellingen resident, were celebrated as finalists in the Façon Magazine and Greater Bank indigenous Storytellers scholarship.

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The presentation event took place during NAIDOC Week on Thursday 6 July at Murrook Culture Centre in Williamtown.

The winner was announced as Jahvis Loveday from the Tweed area.

Marley Morgan is a Wiradjuri/Gamilaraay First Nations fashion photographer based on Gumbaynggirr country.

She is an advocate for inclusion and diversity within mainstream media and fashion.

Marley aims to uplift and empower Aboriginal people through building relationships with communities.

She is working to provide opportunities for greater exposure to showcase her modern culture and business to a wider mainstream audience.

“Getting the recognition for my work was wonderful,” Marley told News Of The Area.

“As a black photographer, my work has often been overlooked due to racist stereotypes often associated with Aboriginal people.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have my work showcased to a wider audience,” she said.

“I hope Façon continues and grows the scholarship in the future.

“I am looking forward to continuing to yarn and learn from my assigned mentor Uncle Warren Taggart.”

In an introductory video as part of her application, Marley stated she started creating the imagery she wanted to see herself, “positive, uplifting”, she said.

“My work is a true reflection of who I am, my culture, my identity.

“But also, it speaks about the importance of inclusion and diversity, and the way that positive imagery can make us feel as people.

“Positive, inclusive imagery is really important in mainstream media and fashion,” she said.

Bernard Kelly-Edwards is a single dad and digital artist, who belongs to the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Dhunghutti Nations.

“Being recognised for my work on this level is huge and to share this platform with other amazing artists is fantastic,” Bernard told NOTA.

“It felt like the universe recognised my work through this scholarship process.”

Bernard’s art incorporates textures and colours inspired by Mother Nature.

He is also the founder of BKE Consultancy, which is a service of rich cultural knowledge supporting deeper awareness of individual or group growth.

In Bernard’s video application, he stated he wants his digital art and discussion to help others “learn more and hopefully help community understanding and be an inspiration to others, to bring the storytelling artists out in them.

“My vision is to share truth and connection to country and unite people through understanding this story.

“My creative self explored an art status that evolved by observing country and patterns, as poetry started to flow.

“Poetry elevates my storytelling to a whole new level matched by my art and the lived experiences whilst on country,” he said.

There are nine finalists, each of whom will receive a mentoring session with a leader in their field where they will have the chance to ask, listen and learn.

The Indigenous Storytellers scholarship has been designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Australian Indigenous art and design in New South Wales.

Developed by Façon Magazine, in conjunction with Greater Bank, it follows the success of Façon’s 2022 Dreaming Edition, which showcased some of the incredible contributions Indigenous people make within the Creative Industries.

A bespoke edition of Façon Magazine has been created to provide a platform for each finalist and their work.

By Andrea FERRARI