Chenaya Bancroft-Davies

Chenaya Bancroft-Davies is a Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr woman based in Ipswich, Queensland, whose artistic practice is grounded in storytelling, cultural connection, and the preservation of Aboriginal knowledge. Growing up within a family of artists, she developed a love of art from an early age, drawing inspiration from her mother and the creative influences that surrounded her.

In 2013, Bancroft-Davies completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art at Griffith University Queensland College of Art. Through her studies, she developed a deeper understanding of her cultural heritage, the histories of her communities, and the important role art plays in sharing knowledge, strengthening identity, and fostering connection. This experience reinforced her commitment to creating meaningful works that celebrate the enduring strength and continuity of Aboriginal culture.

Working across painting, printmaking, jewellery making, visual design, digital illustration, and commissioned artworks, Bancroft-Davies embraces a multidisciplinary approach to artmaking. In recent years, she has expanded her practice into digital drawing and design, creating artworks for large-scale public art projects that bring cultural stories and visual narratives into shared community spaces.

Storytelling remains at the heart of her practice. Through both traditional and contemporary mediums, Bancroft-Davies explores themes of connection, movement, belonging, community, and cultural resilience. Her work seeks to engage audiences in narratives that honour and protect non-material cultural knowledge while encouraging reflection, understanding, and connection.

Bancroft-Davies believes art has the power to create welcoming places, support wellbeing, and strengthen relationships between people, culture, and Country. Through her work, she aims to create opportunities for learning, dialogue, and cultural appreciation, ensuring stories continue to be shared across generations.