In a collective artistic response to culture and Country, UMI Arts' 11th annual Freshwater Saltwater will showcase the rich diversity and creative talent of Far North Queensland's First Nations artists.
Opening on Friday, the Freshwater Saltwater exhibition features 36 works on canvas and paper as well as artefacts and jewellery by 14 of the region's best-known, mid-career to established artists. Freshwater Saltwater is UMI Arts' popular, premium exhibition with a track record for attracting the attention of art lovers and collectors from home and away.
UMI Arts' Artistic Director and curator of Freshwater Saltwater, Lisa Michl Ko-manggén OAM, said the organisation's much-anticipated group exhibition features a distinct and diverse lineup of artists from cultural groups from Mount Isa to Yarrabah to Cairns, the Tablelands, the Cape, and Torres Strait.
"From a purely artistic perspective, Freshwater Saltwater is a nod to mainland Aboriginal custodians who are mostly connected to 'freshwater' while Torres Strait Islanders find a closer association to 'saltwater,'" she said.
"This year's beautiful and thought-provoking collection of artwork and jewellery represents the flowing together of our People's cultures and stories, from rainforest to desert to island."
Artists featured in this year's Freshwater Saltwater exhibition include, artists Michael Anning (Dulgu-barra, Yidinji), Gaylee De Bree (Eastern Kuku Yalanji), Kevin Edmonstone (Yidinji/Yarrabah/Cairns), Dorothy EDWARDS (Kokoberrin/Cape York/Cairns), the late Phyllis GIBSON (Guugu Yimithirr, Thuppi Warra/Hopevale), Shane Gibson (Guugu Yimithirr / Dhaarrba/Bindhi/ Bulgun/Hopevale), Wanda GIBSON (Guugu Yimithirr, Thuppi Warra/Hopevale/Woorabinda), Melanie Hava (Mamu / Warra-barra and Dugul-barra/Mt Isa/Cairns), Marilyn KEPPLE (Wik Mungkan/ Cairns), Lisa MICHL KO-MANGGÉN OAM (Kokoberrin/Cape York/Cairns), Anzak Newman (Tupmul/Sumu/Wulgurukaba), Napolean OUI (Djabugay/Cairns), Grace Rosendale (Binthi Warra/Woorabinda), and Connie Rovina (Birriah/Ku Ku Thaypan/Cairns).
UMI Arts' newly appointed exhibition and gallery officer Aleksandra Kostic said many notable works comprise and make up the year's Freshwater Saltwater exhibition.
"Freshwater Saltwater is a real celebration for Queensland's First Nations artists, who have independently achieved a significant milestone in their careers with artwork that is high-quality, collectible, and exhibition ready," Ms Kostic said.
"UMI is dedicated to nurturing emerging artists, and the organisation's pinnacle exhibition, Freshwater Saltwater, is the culmination.
"Across its annual workshop and exhibition series, UMI aims to elevate the profiles and careers of our more established members, showcasing to newcomers the vast potential of art practice and cultural expression."
Established in 2005, UMI Arts is the peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural organisation for Far North Queensland.
UMI Arts is a not-for-profit company managed by an all-Indigenous Board of Directors.
Its mission is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in maintaining, preserving, and protecting cultural identity.
UMI Arts' Freshwater Saltwater Exhibition officially opens at 6pm on Friday 12 July at UMI Arts' Jensen Plaza Gallery in Manoora.
The exhibition is free to view between Monday and Friday and runs until 13 September.
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