Celebrating both its 20th year in operation and a new exhibition season, UMI Arts is set to have a busy 2025.
With the public opening of You & Me - the annual member showcase and first exhibition for 2025 - set to take place on Friday Marc 7, UMI Arts' artistic director Lisa Michl ko-manggén OAM shared her excitement surrounding the new exhibition season, noting the highly anticipated 2025 iteration of You & Me is a milestone for the organisation that has supported and celebrated First Nations artists across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait for two decades.
"You & Me has become a cornerstone event in UMI Arts' calendar, uniting emerging and established artists to share their stories and culture through visual art," she said.
"I am an artist who has experienced the support of UMI Arts firsthand and now I am honoured to jointly lead the UMI Arts team, which works hard to provide growth and opportunity to all First Nations artists across our region.
"UMI is an incredible platform for both emerging and established artists, including its pathways program aimed at all aspects of an artist's professional development."
Including 15 new works, all acrylic on canvas by six First Nations artists from Far North Queensland's Hopevale and Cape York regions, the You & Me exhibition will feature work from Esme Bowen (Gugu Thaypan/Hopevale), Wanda Gibson (Guugu Yimithirr/Hopevale), Shane Gibson (Dhubbi, Bhinthi and Bulgun / Hopevale), Daisy Hamlot (Guugu Yimithirr/Hopevale), Peter Kulla (Lama Lama and Umpila / near Coen) and Kassandra Savage (Waanyi and Kurtijar / Cape York).
Exhibition and gallery officer Aleksandra Kostic D said this year's exhibition showcases the poetic power of First Nations storytelling through art.
"Each piece in You & Me 2025 reflects unique family stories and cultural traditions, showcasing the diverse artistic expressions of Far North Queensland's First Nations communities," she said.
"You & Me presents an incredible opportunity to connect with authentic First Nations artwork and is the perfect exhibition for anyone looking to start or expand their Indigenous art collection."
UMI Arts invites art lovers and collectors to join the artists in celebrating the opening of You & Me with a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, led by Henry Fourmile, Senior Elder of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji at the UMI Arts Gallery, Jensen Plaza, Manoora, from 6 pm on Friday the 7th of March 2025.
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