Bancroft, Bronwyn (1958-…), is an Australian Aboriginal artist, author, and illustrator. She has worked in a variety of artistic mediums, including painting and fashion design. Her artwork has been displayed in galleries around the world. She is also a children’s book author and illustrator. Many of her works are based on traditional Aboriginal stories and legends. 
Bancroft was born in 1958 in Tenterfield, in the Australian state of New South Wales. Through her father, she is a member of the Bundjalung people, an Aboriginal group whose traditional lands are in the northeastern region of what is now New South Wales. Bancroft attended the Canberra School of Arts. She graduated in 1980 with a diploma in visual arts. She later earned two master’s degrees from the University of Sydney. In 2018, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Western Sydney.
In the early 1980’s, Bancroft moved to Sydney, New South Wales, and began working as a professional artist. She opened a store, Designer Aboriginals, in 1985. The shop sold Bancroft’s clothing designs. She also displayed work from other Aboriginal artists. In 1987, Bancroft was one of the founders of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. The organization was established by Bancroft and other Indigenous creators to support Aboriginal artists from New South Wales. The same year, Bancroft was among several Australian designers who displayed their work at the Au Printemps fashion show in Paris, France. It was one of the first times that Australian artists had been invited to participate in the Paris fashion shows. Bancroft’s work was also featured in a fashion exhibit in London, England, in 1989.
Beginning in the late 1980’s, Bancroft moved away from fashion design. She closed Designer Aboriginals and shifted her attention to painting. Her paintings, including Treaty (1988) and You Don’t Even Look Aboriginal (1991), focus on Aboriginal topics and techniques. Her art was displayed at the National Gallery of Australia, as well as several international museums. She served as a council member for the National Gallery from 1992 to 1997.
Bancroft began working as a children’s book illustrator in the 1990’s. She has illustrated books by several famous Aboriginal authors, including Oodgeroo Noonuccal. In 2009, Bancroft won the Dromkeen Medal for her contributions to Australian children’s literature. She has also written several children’s books, including Why I Love Australia (2010) and Coming Home to Country (2020).
In 2024, Bancroft was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia. The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity.
