Julie Poulsen’s curiosity for colour and composition were informed by multiple locations in her formative years. From Papua New Guinea to the Gold Coast, from traditional Toowoomba and the United Kingdom to frontier Cooktown, Julie’s travels nurtured a tendency towards discovery and experimentation.
Born and educated in Brisbane Julie spent a year in Cooktown in 1977 before entering into a Diploma of Creative Arts in Toowoomba. In an era exemplified by limited formal tuition, Julie formulated a mindset of investigation which would characterise her future art practice.
Zigzagging between themes in 2008 Julie settled into sightseen landscapes of Far North Queensland and figurative works.
Julie continues working in her Cairns studio, alternating between painting, mixed media and wall installations, teaching one day a week and managing her practice.
Louisa Ennis-Thomas
Australian artist, Louisa Ennis-Thomas lives and works between Melbourne and Cairns in Far North Queensland. Her multi-disciplinary approach embraces the creative possibilities of painting, drawing and sculpture, blurring the boundaries in between. Sculpture and installation feature strongly within her practice, underpinned by experimentation with form, texture and challenging materials.
Louisa responds to the human condition and the environments which frame us, both natural and cultural. Art making, writing and collaboration are central to her creative practice. Collaborations include more than 10 years co-directing Knock Knock Contemporary Artists’ Initiative, and now, as a member of Sixfold (Six-friends-over-long-distance) Project. Her works can be found in private collections around Australia, and in the National Gallery of Australia Print Collection, Canberra.
Raewyn Biggs
Raewyn Biggs is of Polynesian ancestry and this cultural heritage is a strong underlying thread throughout most of her work. A mixed media artist, her practice explores various mediums including sculpture, painting and assemblage.
She met the other members of Sixfold while completing a Diploma of Visual Art in 2011 at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, five artists that she considers and values as mentors, colleagues and friends.
Much of her more recent works reflect her interest in the traditional arts and crafts of Polynesia and the juxtaposition of both natural and man-made materials.
Solomon Booth
Date of Birth: 1981
Languages: Kala Lagaw Ya, Creole
Solomon resides in his motherland of Kubin Village on Moa Island in the beautiful Torres Strait, located between mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea. He has lived here since he was 15 years old.
Solomon spent his early years in Darwin in the Northern Territory. As a child, he had a fascination with art and drawing. Solomon finished his schooling in Townsville Queensland.
In 2000, renowned artist Dennis Nona asked Solomon to join the Mualgal Minarral Artist Collective. The collective later evolved into the Moa Arts – Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Art Centre.
Solomon has completed the ATSI Visual ARTS Certificate and Cert IV Training and Assessment.
He was the founding Committee member for the Moa Arts – Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Art Centre, a role he takes seriously and with great pride and purpose. “This is a most exciting time in my career” he says.
Solomon states: “Inspired by the beautiful surroundings of my island home my works draw upon Torres Strait and Melanesian influences.”
“Our ancestors were master craftsmen creating ceremonial and other utilitarian objects from wood. This is why I find Linocut ideal, because it has a sense of displaying one’s articulate style of carving.”
“The ideas and themes that I produce in my artwork are based on the rich lifestyle and livelihood of our ancestors and the myths and legends and beliefs of our forefathers and mothers. This is where I feel inspired to be a part of recording my people’s cultural heritage visually and proud to showcase this knowledge to the world.”
Recent Exhibitions
- 2023, June | Northsite, Cairns Malu Bardthar Dapar
- 2022, October | Tarnanthi 2022 Adelaide SA
- 2022, August | Darwin Convention Centre Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2022
- 2022, July | Cairns Convention Centre Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Exhibition 2022
- 2021, November | CIAF 21 Online exhibition
- 2021, October | Tarnanthi 21 Online exhibition
- 2021, August | DAAF 21 Online exhibition
Collections
- National Gallery of Australia
- Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, Cambridge University UK
- Queensland Art Gallery
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne VIC
- Museum And Art Gallery, NT
- Google Art Culture
Awards
- 2018 National Works on Paper, Mornington Peninsula, Finalist and Acquisition of work
- 2018 Fremantle Art Awards – Finalist
- 2012 21st Telstra NATSIAA – Finalist and Aquisition of work
- 2012 Glen Eira City Council, Melbourne, VIC – Silk Cut Lino Award
- 2012 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Awards – Highly Commended
- 2011 Finalist Silk Cut Awards
- 2011 NAIDOC Community Awards
- 2010 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Awards – Winner
Commissions
- 2015 Torres News
- 2013 Australian Embassy Hong Kong
Words: Courtesy of Moa Arts
Biography courtesy of Moa Arts.
Fiona Mosby
Date of Birth: 1985
Language/s: Kala Kawaw Ya
My name is Fiona Mosby; I am a mid-career artist and Torres Strait Islander woman and I believe in the importance and value for me as a young woman pertains to the values, beliefs and unique identity that what we share, carry and can impact in the lives of our family, community and who we are as individuals. As an emerging artist, my speciality major is in print making: in linocut, etching, and screen-printing. I have also explored and practiced weaving techniques from a young age with my grandmother, which I retell in my art.
As well through my employment working at Moa Arts, I have learnt many other invaluable techniques and skills. As a young passionate woman, I am dedicated and committed to being a role model for the younger generations, to use what knowledge I have about culture and tradition to make an impact, to tell the story of an island woman in preserving and embracing our cultural rights. Art is my tool to visually communicate my personal values and beliefs.
Recent Exhibitions
- 2023, June | Northsite, Cairns Malu Bardthar Dapar
- 2022, October | Tarnanthi 2022 Adelaide SA
- 2022, August | Darwin Convention Centre Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2022
- 2022, July | Cairns Convention Centre Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Exhibition 2022
- 2022, June | Onespace, Brisbane Minaral
- 2022, May | NorthSite, Cairns WOW Cairns Women’s Show
- 2021, December | Cross Arts Projects, Sydney Cross Arts exhibition – Global warming exhibition
- 2021, November | Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Virtual Exhibition 2021
- 2021, October | Tarnanthi Art Fair Tarnanthi 2021
- 2021, August | DAAF 2021 ONLINE
- 2021, June | Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island 150ZK Coming of the Light
- 2021, May | War War – The Art of the Torres Strait Newcastle City Gallery
Awards
- 2018 Fremantle Award 2nd Place – Fremantle Art Centre, Western Australia
- 2018 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award – Commended
- 2018 IACA Lucilla Osborne Memorial Fellowship – Emerging Artists Award
- 2006 Linda Buxton Memorial Award for highest achieving at Griffith/li>
- 2001 Cathrine McAuley Religious Art Prize
- 2001 Ministers Award for Excellence in Art – Brisbane
Commissions
- 2023 Townsville Hospital Multiple artworks for new ward rooms.
- 2006 Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Collaboration presenting Kese Solwata, A Kite Theatre childrens production for Out of the Box and its subsequent Torres Strait Tour.
- 2006 Queensland Museum to made Dandiri Maiwar foyer installation (collaborative work with Davina Kelly)
- 2006 State Library of Queensland collaborative mural with selected Griffith University Indigenous students
Words: Courtesy of Moa Arts
Paula Savage
Date of Birth: 1982
Language: Kala Lagaw Ya
My name is Paula Savage, I’m from Kubin Community Moa Island in the near western cluster of islands in the Torres Strait. I was born here on Moa Island and am a resident in the community.
I come from the Serganilgal clan group from the village of Dabu on Moa Island, and the Kaurareg Nation of Muralag and Kiriri.
Art was my interest from such a young age and during high school I studied visual arts and commercial arts.
After leaving school I pursued other job careers, in early 2017 I became a member of Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Art Centre (Moa Arts) in Kubin Community to take up my passion for visual arts again.
A lot of my interest in art is in weaving, lino printing, tie-dying, fabric printing, drawing, carving, and jewellery making.
My artworks are based on my cultural heritage, stories in traditional knowledge, techniques and styles and also, I like to express my art based on our everyday lifestyle which we still today practice, our cultural laws and customs.
Recent Exhibitions
- 2023, June | Northsite, Cairns Malu Bardthar Dapar
- 2022, August | Darwin Convention Centre Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2022
- 2022, July | Cairns convention Centre Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) 2022
- 2022, June | Onespace, Brisbane Minaral
- 2022, May | NorthSite Contemporary Arts, Cairns WOW Cairns Womens Show
- 2021, November | CIAF21 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Virtual Exhibtion 2021
- 2021, October | Tarnanthi Art Fair Tarnanthi 2021
- 2021, August | DAAF 2021 ONLINE
- 2021, June | Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island 150ZK Coming of the Light
- 2021, May | War War – The Art of the Torres Strait Newcastle City Gallery
Awards
- 2020 | Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Innovation Award
- 2018 | CICA Lucilla Osborne Memorial Fellowship – Emerging Artist Award
Commissions
- 2023 | Fashion Week, National Gallery of Victoria
- 2022 | CIAF 2022 Big Sculpture
- 2022 | Cross River Rail; Albert St Train Station, Brisbane
Words: Courtesy of Moa Arts
David Bosun
Date of Birth: 1973
Languages: Kala Lagaw Ya, Kriol
Torres Strait Island artist David Bosun grew up in a very sensitive cultural environment and from the age of four he practised traditional dancing and singing. He first became interested in art in grade six after participating in an art class at school. David went to Thursday Island Secondary school and later moved to All Saints and St Gabriels Anglican college in Charters Towers, Queensland. During High School he was always in trouble for drawing in class instead of doing his work.
David has attended James Cook University and Cairns TAFE. He travelled extensively internationally with the touring exhibition Gelam my Son. He was also part of a delegation to Cambridge University and is believed to be part of the first people from the Torres Strait to examine the Haddon Collection of Torre Strait artefacts. David has also attended a cultural exchange in Suva, Fiji.
David believes that both the future generations in the Torres Strait as well as the rest of the world need to be educated about the rich cultural heritage and distinctiveness of Torres Strait culture. He is striving to record and illustrate his ancestral beliefs & traditions through the visual and performing arts.
Recent Group Exhibitions
- 2023, June | Northsite, Cairns Malu Bardthar Dapar
- 2022, October | Tarnanthi 2022 Adelaide SA
- 2022, August | Darwin Convention Centre Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2022
- 2021, November | CIAF21 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Virtual Exhibtion 2021
- 2021, October | Tarnanthi Art Fair Tarnanthi 2021
- 2021, August | DAAF 21 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Virtual Exhibition 2021
- 2020, August | CIAF 20 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Virtual Exhibtion 2020
- 2020, August | DAAF, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin, NT Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF)
Awards
- 2018 National Works on Paper – Finalist
- 2018 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award – Commended
- 2014 Telstra Art Award – Finalist
- 2011 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award – Commended
Commissions
- 2024 Australian Olympic Committee athlete accessory designs, Tokyo Olympics 2022 and Paris 2024
- 2013 Kulge-Ruhe / Australia Council Residency, University of Virginia USA
Words: Courtesy of Moa Arts
Rhonda Duncan
I’m Rhonda Duncan, my Aboriginal name is Brukgin, my skin is Gamanyjan. My mother is a Millwarparra woman, and her language is Ngalakgan. My father is Ritharrŋu from north-east Arnhem Land. I like to paint the land and all the animals, and birds. When you look at Country it’s really open, you can get anything you need from that land. But we have to take proper care of that Country, look after that place, the river, billabong, every little thing in that land, my mother’s Country. All these places where I have painted remind me of our ancestors and you can feel their spirit. When you go there you can feel them there watching what you’re doing. You can have that special thing inside you, that feeling, a sort of grieving.
When I was young, we used to go out with mum and dad but I never was bothered to be an artist. I used to see my mum and dad be artists, my sisters and brothers too. One day I asked all my brothers and sisters to teach me, but they all growled ‘no we don’t want to teach you, learn your own way”. After that I started drawing, carving, painting, doing my own style.
Heather Koowootha
Heather was born in Cairns and spent time in Aurukun as a toddler learning from her old people. She spent time living in Aurukun’s “top-end” village with her uncle Don Taipangoompa (Kanamp) and his wife.
Heather’s father Kanamp was born in the bush near Pormpuraaw, South Kendall River to Knox River area. Heather’s mother was a Yidinji Traditional Owner from Yarrabah and Gordonvale. On her father’s side, Heather belongs to the Wik-Mungkan people and on her mother’s side, she is a Tjapukai/Yidinji/Kuganji women.
Heather works in a range of mediums including drawing, printmaking, painting, ceramics and weaving.
She has spent several working as an artist with Canopy Arts. She was recently a resident artist and arts worker at the Wik & Kugu Arts Centre where she is exploring her roots and more traditional ochre painting and carving techniques.
Courtesy of Wik and Kugu Art Centre.
Keith Wikmunea
Keith Wikmunea was born in 1967 in Aurukun.
He was raised in Aurukun by his parents.
Keith is from Wik-Alken (mother’s side) and Wik-Mungkan (father’s side).
His totems are the White Cookatoo, and Goanna from his father’s side and the Galah and Frilled-neck lizard from this mother’s side.
Keith’s country is Kencherang (father’s side) which is north from Aurukun.
There’s a large freshwater lagoon there. During the wet season the saltwater comes up the creek during the high tides.
There is one large creek that comes into the country which splits out into my mother’s country called Ti-tree.
When the freshwater breaks out in the wet season it joins
with the creek at Kencherang and connects to the saltwater.
Keith belongs to the Apalech clan from his father’s side.
His mother’s side is the Winchanum clan.
As an artist Keith is passionate about passing on his creative and cultural knowledge to future generations.
Courtesy of Wik and Kugu Art Centre.