Bobbi Lockyer is the name. I’m an Aboriginal artist in love with rainbows and colour and couldn’t think of anything worse than grey walls and fitting inside the box. I have been described as a young creative with a unique style that turns heads. I am obsessed with the ocean and consider myself a true mermaid queen. There's just nothing better than saltwater and I am forever collecting seashells. Born and based on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland, my work blends my love for my community and dream for a better world with my creative soul and my passion for my homeland and all the amazing colours and iconic Pilbara landscapes that inspire me daily.
I'm a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyul Nyul and Yawuru woman, raising my four amazing boys on the land that raised me. I feel a deep affinity for country and community and use my art, fashion and photography as a platform to raise awareness of social justice issues, including Indigenous rights and women's rights. I find that creativity and community go hand in hand and one would not exist without the other, so I love being able to use my art as a force for good in the world.
In 2021, I was honoured to be named NAIDOC Artist of the Year, a milestone in my career, then in 2023 I went on to be the National NAIDOC poster designer winner. My art and photography have been celebrated globally, including features in Vogue magazine and my fashion showcased on the Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion week runways. My work has been described as "groundbreaking," "revolutionary," and "artistic," which makes me sound fancy—but I’m just a creative who loves sharing my passion with the world.
I am also the co-owner of Ilukas Hospitality with my husband Zach, where we focus on empowering Indigenous communities through employment, training, and mentorship. I also travel Australia teaching art, fashion and photography workshops that inspire and upskill Indigenous youth for careers in the arts.
I’m proud of my national collaboration with Woolworths and recent work on major campaigns for Motorola, La Gacilly Photo Festival in France, and Telstra, including designing Telstra’s Indigenous branding. In 2025, I am honoured to be the Australian Open Artist, showcasing my art on a global stage.
On social media, I share my real life as an artist, mother, and advocate. I tackle topics close to my heart, such as birth trauma, domestic violence, and racism in Australia, while providing helpful tips on photography, art, and creativity. I’ve partnered with The Body Shop and Amnesty International for the Raise the Age campaign and collaborated with Constance Hall to raise funds for the Sisters Inside Free Her campaign.
Some of my favorite collaborations include working with high-profile brands such as Adobe, Apple, Google, Motorola, Warner Music, Triple J, Canva, Telstra and Refinery29.
If you'd like to work with me on colourful amazing content creation, digital design, art or photography, please reach out - just don't contact me if you want something stock standard and dull, because I don't know how to do that.
2024 - PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Best Aboriginal business
2024 - PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Excellence in leading with innovation
2024 - The Jury Art prize finalist
2023 - National NAIDOC poster designer winner
2023 - Women changing the world awards - Entrepreneur of the year
2021 - NAIDOC National Artist of the year winner
2021 PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Small business category
2021 PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Indigenous business category
2021 PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Peoples Choice category
2020 PHCCI Business of the year Peoples Choice Winner
2020 PHCCI Business of the year awards finalist - Small business category
2020 Ausmumpreneur Awards Multicultural Business Excellence Winner
2020 Ausmumpreneur Awards Indigenous Business Excellence Winner
2019 Magabala Books Illustration Finalist
2018 Top 100 Finalist for Hedland Art Awards
2018 Winner of Adelaide Thunderbirds Indigenous Dress design
2016 WAEPPA Silver – Family Category
2016 WAEPPA Silver – Newborn Category
2015 WAEPPA Silver – Portrait Category
2015 WAEPPA Silver – Family Category
2015 FIPP Top 100 Finalists – Portrait Category
2009 Winner Poster Design Oceania Tobacco Conference
2007 YouthWeek-Peoples Choice Award, DesignIt Category
2007 Hedland Art Awards-Best Pilbara Artist Under 25
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which I live and create, the Kariyarra people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.