UMI ARTS will showcase the diverse talent and storytelling of Far North Queensland’s young and emerging First Nations artists in its second exhibition for 2024, Culture Through Our Eyes, opening to the public on Friday, 24 May.
The exhibition is a dedicated First Nations youth exhibition featuring the work of 14 talented young artists from Djarragun College, St Mary’s Catholic College, St Monica’s College, and Trinity Bay State High School.
Culture Through Our Eyes encompasses a colourful and impressive collection of 27 works in various mediums from oil on canvas to charcoal, watercolours, and ceramics – all of which are uniquely inspired by the artists’ homelands, culture, and experience.
Culture Through Our Eyes exhibiting artists are Solace Barnaby (Rockhampton), Jasmine Davis (Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal), Kaissia Dick (Gordonvale), Holly Douglas (Townsville, Charters Towers, Mackay), Peter Levi (Moa Island), Sienna Loban (Wagadagam, Kulkalgal, Wuthathi), Shalanna Marponndin, Chloe McGilvary (Kurtijar), Jahzara Michl (Kokoberrin, Cape York Peninsula), Shyanne Miller (Yirriganydji, Birri Gubba, Dyirbal Jirrbal), Olivia Pootchemunka (Wik, Weipa), Kay Kay Sambo (Doomadgee), Penelope Savage (Moa Island), and Gwen Thomas (Babinda).
UMI Arts Artistic Director Lisa Michl Ko-manggén (OAM) said Culture Through Our Eyes is a youth arts initiative launched in 2022 to showcase young First Nations talent while providing a user-friendly introduction to Queensland’s vibrant Indigenous arts industry.
“This program provides an inclusive and supportive platform and pathway for our incredibly talented young creators to explore their artistic depths as a powerful way of telling stories and sharing culture,” she said.
It is wonderful to see this collective and colourful response from our young people and, more importantly, their fresh perspectives about society and culture
UMI Arts Artistic Director Lisa Michl Ko-manggén
Culture Through Our Eyes will open with a Smoking Ceremony at 6 pm on Friday, 24 May 2024, at UMI Arts Gallery, Shop 1, 4 Jensen Street, Manoora.
The majority of artworks on show are for sale and the exhibition will run until 30 June 2024.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Free green waste disposal begins and Recognising outstanding volunteers in FNQ.
