It was only seven years ago that weaving artist Tegan Murdock picked up the craft for the first time. Since then, her creations have appeared at Australian Fashion Week, been worn by the Governor-General Sam Mostyn at a royal dinner with Queen Mary of Denmark, and even adorned a Melbourne tram. However, the Ngumpie Weaving founder says for her, weaving is all about being able to celebrate and honour Indigenous culture. 

Tegan is a proud member of the Barkindji tribe originating from Coomealla, Lake Victoria and the Mungo regions from her mother’s ancestors, while also belonging to the Yorta Yorta and Duduroa tribes originating from the Shepparton area from her father’s ancestors. She says each thread in her woven art allows her to connect with her ancestors, while also igniting her creative spirit. 

Whether it’s creating jewellery or a wall piece, or introducing people to weaving through one of her workshops or kits, Tegan feels compelled to create and share her craft. “I don’t think my mind and my hands could ever stop creating,” says Tegan. From when she first learned to weave to the poignant thought she always has each time she creates new woven art, Tegan is one artist whose connection to her work’s ancient origins runs deep. And like many who pursue a creative career, she’s also had to learn how to let go of the fear of putting her work out into the world – an inevitable lesson along the way to following her dream with Ngumpie Weaving. 

For Tegan, however, it’s a small price to pay for the gift of being able to do what she loves on a daily basis. “I’m always so grateful for my little business, my customers, for everything.”

Give Your Craft Time to Develop

“The first time I tried weaving [with mum], I didn’t get it. I think the patience just wasn't [in] me at the time. Then I tried it again later on, a few years later, and then it just really clicked. At that time, I was just going through something. So I was in a little bit of a dark place, and I think it just spoke to me and called me in.” 

Achieving Connection Through Ngumpie Weaving

“It means everything [that I get to practise weaving]. I just think about my girls; how I get to pass [it] on to them and they get to feel proud about their culture and get to share that. I think of my parents too, to feel proud that they practise their culture no matter what and they’re always very proud of being Aboriginal and standing in that. I feel each thread is like weaving [my ancestors] with me. It’s when I sit in silence, I often find myself thinking of them, and I think, ‘I wish you could have done this and I wish you could have sat with this, but I get to do it now and I’m weaving it forward’.” 

Discover Your Artistic Inspiration

“My family is my biggest inspiration. I wouldn’t be creating if it wasn’t for Mum and Dad because everything I do comes from them and my siblings. Their creativity sparks mine and our upbringing and everything we went through together.”

Protect Your Creative Time

“Most of the time, I’ll block emails and calls so I just have time to create during the day. I have several pieces on the go because I struggle just sticking with one thing. There’s a lot of back and forth, which I like because it brings me more creativity. Most of the time, [I’m inspired] just sitting in silence, listening and just being with that. Sometimes I’ll pop a little bit of music on. I’ll come back to emails just to break it up if I feel [something is] not working.” 

Keep Creating 

“My mind won’t let me stop! There are just so many ideas that I have to keep creating. My family is the same; they are always creating. There’s no sitting still. I don’t think my mind and my hands could ever stop me from creating. There’ll be nights I’m in bed and I’m trying to clock off, but the ideas are just going overtime. I'll wake up extra early just to get that idea out of my head.”

Set Your Business Up For Success

“[For my business], I use the little boxes, shredded paper and tape to pack orders. I have a Microsoft Surface that I use to do emails, but I also use it to design and edit creative materials for Ngumpie Weaving in Canva. I also have storage baskets to store materials and a pinboard that I use as an inspiration board.” 

Getting Started With Weaving

“Try jumping onto social media and connecting with local Aboriginal weavers and attending their weaving groups. You just need to start slowly. You’ll pick up the basics and with more practice you’ll get better and better. I think the bracelets are the easiest [project to start with] – it’s very simple and you’re focusing on that one stitch all the way around the bracelet.” 

Believe in Yourself

“I think the biggest challenge was just believing in myself and not having the fear of putting myself out there and putting my creations out there. I still get a little bit scared every now and again when I put new pieces out; that fear of judgement and fear of failure. But I've done a lot of work on myself where I'm able to think, ‘No, that means just get it out there; just get it done’. And I think that’s how my business has grown because I'm putting myself out there all the time and not worrying about people's opinions and judgements.

“If you're happy with what you're doing and it’s bringing you joy, just do it and just try. Either it doesn’t work out or you learn from it. Just go all in. The only way I’ve gotten better is to just create.”

Celebrate What You’ve Accomplished

“I think [Ngumpie Weaving has achieved cut-through] because I’m just always evolving and always changing and just bringing beautiful energy out there and creating beautiful spaces that are bringing Indigenous [and] non-Indigenous [people together]. If I get to continue where I’m at now, then I'll be so happy. I just feel really, really content, and I feel like I'm literally living my dream.” 

‍What to Try