Erica Muriata

Erica Muriata is a proud Girramay woman from the Jumbun Aboriginal Community, located in the Murray Upper region, North-West of Cardwell, Queensland.  As an emerging artist, Erica’s work is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from the landscape, traditions, and stories of her ancestors.  Her art reflects a strong connection to the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, where she continues to honor and celebrate her community’s artistic practices.

Erica’s artistic practice spans multiple mediums, including painting, ceramics, and weaving.  She is known for her ability to capture the essence of the natural world through landscape scenes rendered in warm, earthy tones.  These works evoke a sense of place, grounding viewers in the beauty and complexity of the environment she calls home.  In addition to her paintings, Erica creates distinctive Bagu sculptures in clay, each piece uniquely expressing her connection to her culture and the land.

In recent years, Erica has gained recognition for her exquisite weaving skills, with her work in this area becoming highly regarded within the community and beyond.  She is also becoming renowned for her craftsmanship in creating the Jawun — traditional woven baskets of the rainforest people — demonstrating an intricate knowledge of materials and techniques passed down through generations.  Her mastery in weaving reflects both her personal connection to cultural traditions and her ability to adapt and innovate within them.

Erica’s art is not just a personal expression, but also a vehicle for preserving and passing on the stories of her ancestors.  As the current keeper of these stories, she carries the responsibility of maintaining and sharing the cultural knowledge and traditions of her people.  Raised by her parents — her father Jack Muriata, a respected Elder and community leader, and her mother Lillian Muriata, an accomplished painter — Erica inherited a rich legacy of storytelling and artistic expression.  Through her work, she continues this tradition, ensuring that the stories of the Girramay people are kept alive for future generations.

Erica Muriata’s art is a powerful and evocative celebration of her heritage, her family’s history, and the land that shapes her worldview.  Through her diverse range of works, she invites others to explore and share in the rich cultural narrative of the Girramay people.