Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland is the third in a three-part exhibition series that captures generations of cultural knowledge shaped by a profound relationship to Country.
In these vibrant and innovative works, emerging and established First Nations artists from across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait explore new materials and techniques as they share what it means to belong.
The third of the Belonging series features works by artists from Mossman Gorge, Weipa, Mapoon, Napranum, Wujal Wujal and Pormpuraaw.
Listen to three of the Belonging series III artists, Margaret Mara, Sandra Ase and Laura de Jersey, as they discuss their artworks and the inspiration behind them.
Exhibition highlights
Zoe’s Hands Giddy Giddy by Luanna de Jersey
Birrbirr (Rainforest Parrots), Lorna Shuan
Red Beach Flower by Laura de Jersey
Kunjuri (Shield) I by Anne Nunn
Pormpuraaw Rangers by Romena Edwards
Yalanji Bama Ranger on Country by Andrew Gibson
Protecting Our Ocean II by Elliot Koonutta, Christine Holroyd, Syd Bruce Shortjoe and Romena Rose Edwards
Workshops on Country
A series of workshops were held in the communities involved with Belonging. Art centres and artists nominated the type of workshop they wanted – ranging from advanced painting to ceramics and photography – and emerging and established artists were encouraged to take part.
More than 400 works were created by more than 100 artists. All works were acquired by the National Museum of Australia for the National Historical Collection.
Artists from four centres feature in the third Belonging exhibition. Learn more about each centre and the artists it represents:
Acknowledgements
Belonging is on show in the First Australians Focus Gallery at the National Museum of Australia from 21 March 2024 to 10 March 2025.
The Belonging project was developed by the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA). The Belonging publication was generously supported by the Gordon Darling Foundation.
Works from Hopevale, Yarrabah, Moa/Mua Island and Mornington Island were on show for the first Belonging series, at the National Museum from 7 July 2022 to 12 February 2023.
Works from Cardwell, Badu Island and Aurukun were on show for the second Belonging series, at the National Museum from 2 March 2023 to 18 February 2024.
Learn more about the Belonging series.
In our collection
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Banner image: Protecting Our Ocean II (detail), 2019, Elliot Koonutta, Christine Holroyd, Syd Bruce Shortjoe and Romena Rose Edwards, Wik Mungkan, Kugu/Thaayorre, Wik Mynah, Kugu Mi’inh (respectively), Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre, acrylic and fluorescent paint, ghost nets on board, 65 x 240 cm. National Museum of Australia