Fitzroy Crossing artist collaborates with global fashion brand Poppy Lissiman for stunning bag collection

An Indigenous artist from the central Kimberley has put down his brush and turned an eye to fashion, collaborating with one of the most in-vogue designers to create a vibrant collection of bags.

John Prince Siddon, a 48-year-old Walmajarri painter from Fitzroy Crossing, recently joined forces with Poppy Lissiman, an Australian accessory designer whose work has been adorned by the likes of Beyonce, the Kardashians, Bella Hadid and Margot Robbie.

Their collaboration, Poppy x Prince, pulls from Mr Siddon’s iconic imagery to decorate Poppy Lissiman’s signature designs.

The artist, who resides in Juniper Guwardi Ngadu aged home and spends his spare time painting vibrant animals and Dreamtime figures, said the collaboration makes him happy because he can tell his story.

“This was a very special project for me,” he said.

“I was inspired by the animals in the Kimberley and by the way they outrun bushfires. Each print carries a different story or meaning about our land, my people, and our animals.

“The final product looks great, and I cannot believe that it is my art. I keep looking back at the bags and thinking that I want to do more.”

Mr Siddon’s work is exhibited around the world and has featured in Ms Lissiman’s personal collection for more than seven years.

The designer said she was ecstatic to be able to work with one of her all-time favourite artists.

“He is a trailblazer in the WA Aboriginal art scene,” Ms Lissiman said.

“We’ve worked with Prince and pulled some abstract elements from some of his best-known works to create unique prints across our best-selling nylon bag range.”

The designer also used his paintings which “relate to our relationship with animals and the environment” to create vibrant tote bags.

Mr Siddon is currently a resident artist at Mangkaja Art Resource Agency in Fitzroy Crossing and is the son of the agency’s founding painter, Pompey Siddon.

The Poppy x Prince collection can be found at Mangkaja, through the Poppy Lissiman online store and at most State galleries.