Marrawuy Journeys creates contemporary Aboriginal art in the form of paintings, prints, cards, calendars, jigsaw puzzles, and digital products. The owner, Sarah Richards, is a proud Ngiyampaa woman born on Gadigal land and has been living on Ngunnawal and Ngambri country since 2012. In 2015 Sarah was awarded ACT NAIDOC Artist of the year, and more recently was awarded the Canberra Woman in Business Indigenous Business Woman Award. Sarah continues to use her passion for art to help individuals heal through it.
The beginnings of Marrawuy Journeys
Sarah Richards, a contemporary Aboriginal artist, founded Marrawuy Journeys with a vision to “heal as individuals so we can heal as a country”. Sarah was inspired to start the business after her own journey of healing through art, so she used her knowledge from her commerce degree and CPA qualification to turn her passion into a business in 2018. In August 2021, she took the leap and decided to focus on Marrawuy Journeys full time.
The name Marrawuy (pronounced Mar-ra-way) comes from her ancestors’ language, Wongaibon, meaning “red kangaroo”. A kangaroo can’t easily jump backwards, and this symbolises Sarah’s determination to keep moving forward no matter the challenges she faces. She now enjoys creating opportunities for others to heal through art like she has done for herself.
What Sarah loves most about Marrawuy Journeys
Sarah loves the flexibility of being in business. She strives for work-life integration, which means blending her personal and professional responsibilities rather than viewing them as separate. One of the main reasons she decided to start her own business was to have more flexibility to be present when she had children, and she is now reaping the benefits of this after recently having her first child.
Sarah is passionate about nurturing individual and collective wellbeing. She believes that everyone has the potential to flourish, and she’s inspired by finding ways to help people reach their full potential. She starts with herself by nurturing her own roots and absorbing the nourishment she needs. As she grows and strengthens, she provides shelter and shade to those around her. She believes that kindness and understanding are essential for a happy and healthy society, and she strives to facilitate positive change through her creative expression.
Sarah’s best advice for other business owners
Sarah’s journey to working in her business began in 2018, and it took her three years to make the leap to working for herself full time. She believes it’s important to love what you do, have courage to take risks, and also be patient. She advises others who are starting out to follow their passion, be brave, and persevere. While it’s challenging and a lot of hard work, Sarah loves running her business and wouldn’t give it up for anything.
What to expect from Marrawuy Journeys at the December 2023 Market
Sarah’s an introvert at heart, but she loves coming to the Handmade Market. She says it gives her a chance to connect with people and hear their stories while sharing her own stories through her products. 2023 has been a year of firsts for Sarah: she became a parent, grew her business, and continued her Executive MBA studies. With her studies wrapping up at the end of this year, 2024 will be a year of exploration as she looks for new ways to deliver on her purpose of “healing as individuals so we can heal as a country.”
At the market, shoppers can find a vibrant and inspiring array of gifts, perfect for personalising their home or office space. From eye-catching prints to creative calendars, cards, and puzzles, each product is designed to inject brightness and spark joy. The Marrawuy Journeys interactive puzzle activity (suitable for ages 3 and up) also makes its return, offering busy parents a chance to take a moment for their own wellbeing as their young ones play.
You’ll find Sarah at the December Handmade Market on Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December, 2023. Check out Marrawuy Journey’s Facebook, Instagram, and website to learn more about Sarah’s work and to see her beautiful products.
