DESIRAI (Desirai Saunders) is a Gunggari digital illustrator whose work centres on contemporary First Nations experiences.
Her recognisable bold and colourful style blends elements of culture into her body of work where it channels emotion, strength and personal experiences into striking illustrations.
How would you describe the way you bring traditional motifs and your own contemporary style together in your work?
My work centres around cultural identity rather than culture itself, and I think that's an important distinction. When I include traditional motifs, they're blended with a contemporary style to support the story of a particular artwork rather than dominate it. Culture isn't something separate from our everyday lives - it's interconnected. We move through the world with that connection naturally and organically, so I want my work to reflect that same lived experience.
What does it mean to you to see that blend of old and new translated onto something people wear every day, like a T-shirt or hoodie?
I love seeing artists and designers authentically incorporate culture into wearable fashion (key word: authentically). I'd love to see more of it in mainstream fashion, provided it's done respectfully and doesn't cross into exploitation. It's important that our communities have access to clothing that lets us express pride in who we are, while also inviting others to celebrate and respect our culture alongside us. It's a delicate balance, but not one I think people should be afraid of exploring thoughtfully.
What do you hope people take away or feel when they wear one of your designs?
Honestly, I'm just incredibly grateful that someone chooses to invest in my work. It's such a privilege to know that something I've created becomes part of someone's everyday life. I hope wearing my designs gives people a sense of pride, joy or connection, whatever that may mean to them, and reminds them that art has the power to tell stories and start conversations.
Is there anything you'd want someone wearing your work to know about the story or ideas behind it?
It really depends on the design, as each one tells a different story. I always appreciate when people are curious and want to learn more about the meaning behind the work. That said, I also enjoy leaving space for people to interpret the artwork in their own way and form a genuine personal connection with it. I think there's often more than meets the eye, and sometimes those individual interpretations become part of the artwork's story too. As I mentioned before, my work centres around sharing experiences of cultural identity in our modern society.
Discover more of Desirai's work here.
Follow her on Instagram @desirai.art
