Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • ARTS

You & Me
Showcasing a rich diversity of
styles, inspirations, and mediums
by UMI’s participating member
artists, UMI Arts has kicked off its
first annual exhibition, You & Me.
It can be viewed, free of charge,
1
on weekdays in the organisation’s
gallery on 1 Jensen St. You & Me
Taste of culture runs until 30 April.

WORKSHOPS
A trio of UMI Arts member
artists is offering free
workshops covering the crafts
of wood carving, painting
and printmaking.

Three of the region’s most recognised
artists are sharing their rich cultural
traditions and expertise in a number
of free workshops this April and May.
Run in the Court House Gallery, the Taste
of Culture series allows keen craftspeople
to learn invaluable skills and stories from 2
Indigenous artists Kel Williams,
Natasha Davui and Paul Bong.
Kel is an accomplished wood carver,
boat builder and brush artist, among A Yidinji artist whose great-grandparents
other trades, as well as the subject of were tribal Elders of the fertile lands
UMI Arts’ first documentary on local between Cairns, Babinda and Kairi,
artist Elders. Following the tutelage of his Paul Bong is compelled to regain lost
grandfather from the age of 10, the Ugar culture through his artistic practice.
(Stephen Island) and Guuguyimidhirr He was also awarded Cairns Indigenous
(Cape York) artist didn’t revisit wood Art Fair’s Premier’s Award for Excellence
carving until the 90s. He then went on for his artistic response and body of Upcoming workshops
to teach emerging artists across remote work – monoprints of the Yidinji Warrior
Cape communities, while also connecting Shields of his rainforest people – to
the craft to his boat building days by CIAF’s 2021 theme, Sacred. Both Paul and SAT 9 APRIL SAT 21 MAY
creating wooden boats reminiscent of old Natasha are previous recipients of Natasha Davui Natasha Davui
Torres Strait pearl luggers. a Thancoupie Bursary.
Natasha is widely admired for her Kel is undertaking wood carving SAT 23 APRIL SAT 11 JUNE
intricate contemporary art and detailed classes as part of Taste of Culture, while Kel Williams Kel Williams
paintings, which reflect her Djabugay Natasha will focus on painting and Paul,
(Barron River) heritage and connection printmaking. The workshops run every SUN 8 MAY SAT 25 JUNE
to the Gunggari people in south-west second Saturday, 10 to 11.30am. Paul Bong Paul Bong
Queensland’s Maranoa River region.
She’s partnered with big local brands,
including fashion label Mainie and MORE: umiarts.com.au 1. Natasha Davui. Credit: Colyn Huber
2. Live off the Land, Edna Ambrym (Yarrabah Art Centre)
Crystalbrook Collection’s Bailey Hotel. Acrylic on canvas, 2021

56 • Tropic • Issue 35