DJIRRINGU ART

Ky-ya Nicholson Ward is a 23-year-old Wurundjeri, Djaara, Ngurai Illum Wurrung, German and Irish woman based in Naarm (Melbourne). A passionate First Nations artist, Ky-ya shares the stories of her ancestors, family, and Country through her art, using creativity as a powerful medium for education, awareness, and advocacy.

Her practice is underpinned by extensive commissioned work, having worked across many sporting codes including AFL, NBL, NRL, SSN, Tennis and Cricket Australia. Her portfolio includes high-profile and large-scale projects alongside a wide range of bespoke commissions for organisations, businesses, and community spaces. Through this work, she brings powerful cultural storytelling into contemporary and public-facing platforms.

Beyond her visual practice, she is an activist, educator, and mentor, deeply committed to cultural revival and community empowerment. Ky-ya is also a dancer with Djirri Djirri Cultural Services and proudly holds the title of Vic Miss NAIDOC 2025.

Ky-ya grew up watching her mum Mandy Nicholson create amazing artworks and has always been very intrigued. Ky-ya's main inspirations are Country, animals, stories, waterways and her ancestors. Her ancestors inspire her to keep Wurundjeri culture alive through art and education, in particular her Uncle William Barak. Her artworks are strictly South Eastern style, which means she does lines, diamonds, circles, as her ancestors have always done. Ky-ya is inspired to use her art to showcase her culture in a positive way and to educate others.