UMI Arts’ ninth annual Freshwater Saltwater exhibition, showcasing the rich diversity and artistic talent of Far North Queensland’s artists, opened this week and runs until the end of August.
‘Barra’ by artist Kevin Edmonstone is one of 13 artworks featured in the exhibition, a range of mediums (print, paintings, fibre) by eight of the region’s best-known artists.
Freshwater Saltwater has already attracted the attention of art lovers and collectors, known throughout the industry as UMI Arts’ blue-chip exhibition.
UMI Arts’ Exhibitions and Gallery Officer, Robyne Pacey said Freshwater Saltwater is a curated group exhibition for mid-career and established artists spanning cultural groups from Gordonvale and Kuranda to western Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands.
According to Ms Pacey, the exhibition is so named to reflect a metaphorical ideology of Far North Queensland’s two very distinct and diverse cultures from an artistic perspective in which mainland Aboriginal custodians are mostly connected to ‘freshwater’ while Torres Strait Islanders find closer association to ‘saltwater’.
“This year’s beautiful and thoughtprovoking collection of artworks is a response to culture and Country. acknowledges each artist’s cultural diversity and distinct connection to freshwater and saltwater in Far North Queensland,” she said.
The exhibiting artists are Andrew Duffin from Kuranda, Dorothy Edwards from western Cape York, Kevin Edmondstone from Gordonvale, Lara Fujii from Badu Island, Lisa Michl Ko-manggén OAM from western Cape York, Melanie Hava from the Johnstone River, Natasha Davui from south west and far north Queensland and Robert Tommy Pau from Merian, eastern Torres Strait Islands.
According to UMI Arts Executive Officer, Peter Lenoy there are many notable works comprising this year’s Freshwater Saltwater exhibition.
“Freshwater Saltwater is a real celebration for our artists who have independently achieved a major milestone in their career with artwork that is a high level of quality, collectible, and exhibition ready.
“While we do focus many of our programs and exhibitions at developing emerging artists, Freshwater Saltwater is about enhancing the profiles and careers of our more established members who by osmosis, provide an inspiration to newcomers – demonstrating just how far art practice and cultural expression can take you,” Mr Lenoy said.
Exhibition details
UMI Arts’ Freshwater Saltwater Exhibition officially opened on Thursday 14 July at UMI Arts’ Jensen Plaza Gallery in Manoora. The exhibition is free to view between Monday and Friday and runs until Wednesday, August 31 2022.
