General News
6 May, 2022
INSECTS RULE IN CAIRNS: A celebration of childhood and imagination
THE return of the Cairns Children’s Festival opened with the exhibition of creepy crawlers at the Courthouse Gallery, ‘Insects Rule’ from April 29 to May 14, with artworks by FNQ children from ages three to 12 to explore the role that insects play in our environment.
The exhibition of 84 pieces opened a space where kids could use their skills and imagination and get their work exhibited in a public gallery for the locals and tourists to enjoy.
Artist in residence and curator of Insects Rule, Sorami Ochi, said that Insects Rule was a fantastic opportunity to highlight and appreciate children’s art.
“This exhibition is about giving children the opportunity to exhibit their artwork to the public, share their creativity with people in Cairns and get recognition for their skills and talent,” Ms Ochi said.
“Children don’t really have the opportunity to show their work to the public, and this may be the push they need to pursue a pathway into arts in the future.”
Insects spark curiosity in children’s eyes, and the diversity and colourful catalogue of insects in FNQ was the inspiration behind the idea of ‘Insects Rule’.
“We live in Far North Queensland, and it’s such a beautiful place with so many insects to discover,” Ms Ochi said.
“I thought this was a good way for kids to represent Cairns while building their love of bugs.”
Insects Rule allowed the children to explore their skills in all types of mediums, from oil to canvas, sculptures, watercolours, and collages.
Everything was allowed, and the public will be able to witness the raw talent and creativity that the children in the Cairns region have to offer.
The exhibition will culminate with an origami workshop on Saturday, May 14, by artists in residence Sorami Ochi and Hayley Gillespie from 10am to 4pm where children will transform the Gallery space.
“This area will start with basically nothing inside the room, and over time children are going to create butterfly origamis, and they will fill up the space,” Ms Ochi said.
“It’s about them creating the space rather than me; it’s all about the children.”
For Sorami as a young artist and an Education student at JCU, providing children with the chance to express themselves through art is crucial.
“When children have their artwork exhibited, they can express themselves freely and use their creativity without being limited,” she said. “Children tend to grow out of their creativity if they don’t get these opportunities.
“If they get these options now, they will see that becoming an artist is possible.
“It’s about preserving the children’s passion, so they still want to achieve something in art when they’re older.”
For more information and tickets to the Cairns Children’s Festival, visit https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns/events/cairns-childrens-festival or go to https://bit.ly/3kJlP6G
