Our Way: Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Lockhart River is the first major exhibition to survey the work of the Lockhart River Art Gang (a group of young artists living in a remote Aboriginal community in Queensland’s Cape York), and the emergence to national and international recognition of some of its members.

Rosella Namok, Samantha Hobson and Fiona Omeenyo spearhead the movement with spectacular and diverse insights into country, culture and history. The exhibition features the fine art printmaking from the Art Gang’s early years, along with major paintings.  

This project has been supported by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government through Department of Education, Training and the Arts, and the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), Department of the Premier and Cabinet. QIAMEA promotes Queensland’s Indigenous arts industry through marketing and export activity throughout Australia and internationally.

May 5 –  July 1, 2007

Gallery location: The University of Queensland Art Museum, The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, University Drive, St Lucia

Admission : Free

www.maynecentre.uq.edu.au

Samantha Hobson Bushfire 2000 Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 174.0 x 170.0 cm

Bushfires are a spectacular and frequent event in the Lockhart River region, particularly in hinterland areas where vegetation is dry.  Hobson’s landscapes are always passionate interpretations of the environment and depict the emotive sense of power and intensity created by uncontrollable fires in the Australian bush.

Fiona Omeenyo Mother and child 2004
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Omeenyo’s figures derive from the Quinkan spirit figures found in rock art in the Laura region to the south of the artist’s Umpila country. The artist became a mother at a very young age and now has three children.  The family bond between different generations of family is a particular preoccupation with the artist and in this image we see different ways that the artist depicts connections between mother and child.

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