Northern Australia’s pearling industry has a rich and emotive history steeped in stories of adventure, slavery, cyclones, hardship and mortality.
North by East West highlights the cultural bond of two distinct communities in Queensland and Western Australia. Though geographically distant, these communities share a similar lived experience and cultural practice.
Since before time immemorial, peoples of the Kimberley Coast and Torres Strait region have practised the art of pearl shell carving for ceremony, knowledge transmission and sorcery. Contemporary artists are keeping their culture alive, continuing the practices of their ancestors, and recreating them in a contemporary context through printmaking and carving.
Featured in the exhibition are traditional and contemporary etchings and pearl shell carvings by Bard brothers and artists Darrell and Garry Sibosado, from the community of Lombadina in Western Australia. Their works are informed by and depict traditional riji symbols passed down through the family.
Cairns based Torres Strait Islander artists, Joel Sam (Saibai Island) and Sam Savage (Erub Island), have created contemporary dibidibi that incorporate pearl shells and that traditionally were worn around the neck for ceremony and protection in battle.
Sensitivity Notice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following pages contain images of deceased persons.
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Brian Robinson
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Darrell Sibosado
Garry Sibosado
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Sam Savage
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The Cairns Art Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased persons in photographs, film or text.