Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • ARTS

Image: Darren Blackman, Elizabeth Hunter, Dylan
Sarra and Theo Tremblay undertaking a printmaking
residency prior to NorthSite Exhibition, REPATRIATE.

New studio represented in the collections of the interest in our printmaking residency
program, so we’re looking forward to
Queensland Art Gallery, National Gallery
MILESTONE of Australia, State Library of Queensland, hosting more artists from Cairns, Cape
York, the Torres Strait and students from
Parliament House Art Collection in
NorthSite – formerly KickArts Canberra and numerous regional across Australia to undertake dedicated
– is celebrating its 30th year by galleries, as well as private collections. production time and mentorship with
the experienced master printmakers of
Rare editions are still available to
retaking operations of a studio purchase through NorthSite. this region.”
and workshop space. Over the past decade, the community Keep an eye out as the new range of art
printmaking group InkMasters has classes is launched. You can become a
NorthSite has always been a boundary- managed and maintained the studio and member to access discounted programs.
pushing arts company nationally now, NorthSite is taking over
recognised as one of the best arts the operations.
organisations operating in Australia. “We have huge shoes to refill in terms of Djumbunji is a traditional
Today, it continues its tradition of the extraordinary work that InkMasters word of the Gimuy Yidinji
experimental practice and further has done over the past decade to support people, which means
developing printmaking in northern and enhance printmaking in Far North
Australia. In its 30th year, NorthSite is Queensland,” said NorthSite Director, ‘belongs to scorpion place.’
retaking operations of an initiative it Ashleigh Campbell. “We see great It honours the location of the
introduced more than a decade ago at potential for future years with the people, printmaking studio in the area
Edge Hill, and is launching NorthSite print supporters and artists here so it’s an of Bunda Djumbunji (Scorpion
Art Studios. exciting prospect to be able to continue Mountain), the traditional
From 2009 to 2012 the printmaking the legacy within this facility.” name for the Whitfield
studio on Greenslopes Street was home The studio will open opportunities for Mountain range.
to Djumbunji Press; a KickArts initiative emerging and professional artists as
supported by Arts Queensland that well as those who are looking for weekly
provided major cultural infrastructure to creative activities and children’s
Far North Queensland. Djumbunji Press art classes. What’s on at NorthSite
supported Queensland artists to develop “The workshops we operated during the
their skills in printmaking and produce renovation of Bulmba-ja Arts Centre Art Studios
iconic new artworks, resulting in the were wildly popular and we now have the Life drawing
creation of original and rare lino prints facilities to be able to present weekly art Every Tuesday night until
and etchings by leading Aboriginal and classes again,” Ashleigh said. December 27
Torres Strait Islander artists. It launched “Our philosophy is ‘artists first’, and we’ll
the international careers of artists like be employing artists to deliver these
Brian Robinson, Joel Sam and Billy Missi, tailored art programs for the community MORE: northsite.org.au
while Djumbunji-published prints are of Cairns. We’re also receiving national

57 • tropicnow.com.au