Jessie Waratah

Jessie Waratah was born and lives on Bediagal Country in Sydney’s Inner West, with ancestral ties to Mungindi and the Gamilaraay Nation. Jessie’s strongest cultural influences are from her extended Aboriginal family and Elders living in Sydney, and from her Warlpiri family who – together – have raised her since she was born.

Jessie is a practicing artist working primarily in acrylics as well as digital forms. Her work explores themes of connection and identity, and has been strongly influenced by her childhood growing up along the Cooks River. Jessie has contributed to group shows with Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Co-operative, co-created murals and workshops with students and community members in places of education including UTS, and, in 2025 completed a nine painting commission for Canterbury Hospital’s Maternity Unit, known as the Waratah ward informed by stories shared with her by close family members. Jessie has a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts from Eora. Throughout all her work, Jessie strives to honour all that she has been taught, and to give back to her community.