First Nations artists Jinneecka Don (Tjapukai/Kuku Yalanji) and Cecelia Slade (Torres Strait Islands) will present a combined showcase of their artworks – more than 50 pieces of work in total - for the UMI Arts Exhibition Ready Program.
Displayed across a variety of mediums, the new showcase will highlight both artists' talents and inspiration, with the exhibition featuring acrylic paintings, prints, polymer clay jewellery and a hand-printed/sewn quilt.
The artworks will be presented at the UMI Arts Exhibition Ready program opening on Friday the 27 September, running until 7 November.
Created to provide practical advice and pathways for emerging First Nations artists to develop their practice and marketability, the Exhibition Ready Program is bound to be of great career assistance to both artists.
UMI Arts' Exhibition Ready Program teachers artists how to price their work, market their exhibition, plan and create an artist profile and engaging CV in addition to much more.
Showcasing 10 acrylic artworks on stretched canvas; 11 mixed colours of polymer clay, jewellery and one calico piece with a lino print, Jinneecka Don is looking forward to highlighting her work through vibrant colourways.
"My artworks are bright and colourful and make me feel happy. I always incorporate many animals and dots to tell the story. I use blue, aqua, green, pink, and purple tones throughout my artwork, circular shapes, and dot gradients," she said.
"My works are deeply personal, as I always work directly on the canvas, drawing inspiration from my thoughts, emotions, memories, experiences, and observations of the world around me. People love my artwork; memories and I receive a lot of positive comments from the people around me."
"My artworks speak for themselves, and I often name them after the central focus in the painting."
Connected to the Tjapakai and KuKu Yalanji people, Don graduated from Cairns TAFE in 2012 with Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art. Since then, she has been printing lino-cut block on fabric and incorporating them into her quilts. Currently, Jinneecka is delving into a collection of artworks exploring the beauty and symbolism of turtles and butterflies.
Torres Strait Islander artist Cecelia Slade takes her inspiration from animal portraits and wildlife landscapes. After studying zoology at university, Slade became fascinated by animals and their lives.
Slade is a longstanding member of UMI Arts, where her artworks have been displayed in several group exhibitions, in the gift shop, and showcased in art fairs.
Through her participation in UMI Arts exhibitions and workshops, the creative artist has developed new skills in printmaking while creating new works and exploring various mediums.
In this exhibition, Slade will show off four acrylic artworks on stretched canvas, 11 linocut prints on 350gsm paper and 14 mixed colours of polymer clay jewellery.
"I aim to quiet my busy mind and create work I am truly proud of. My current series features serene, flowing works that capture beach life, playing in the shallows and exploring rock pools," she said.
"These pieces are characterised by soft, calming colours, from delicate peaches to deep blues, evoking the tranquillity of perfect beach days. The process is methodical, often involving numerous sketches and trials before completing a final piece, which can take up to three months depending on the medium.
"I found that naming my work is a challenge, because I prefer not to overshadow the viewers personal interpretation. Many of my artworks draw inspiration from artists from the Torres Strait Islands, my experiences of young adulthood, where I spent many hours working with wildlife and, even today, working in Indigenous communities.
"I find beauty and inspiration in diverse places. These pieces will resonate to many, but those who love the ocean will find a special connection."
Artworks will be presented at the UMI Arts Exhibition Ready program opening on Friday 27 September and run until 7 November 2024.
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