Girramay artist Nephi Denham is set to showcase his latest work in a solo exhibition at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts in Gurambilbarra (Townsville) from 31 January.

Titled Bonday Muggie, the exhibition highlights Mr Denham's ceramic and weaving creations, deeply rooted in his Girramay heritage.

Speaking with Eli Blackman on 4K1G, Mr Denham reflected on his artistic journey, which began in 2009 when he first visited the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre.

"My auntie first brought me here, and then my journey of learning about my elders and my culture started," he said.

A key focus of Mr Denham's work is bagu, traditional firemaking tools that have become widely recognised in the art world.

"The ceramic pieces we make at the Art Centre are based on a traditional firemaking tool," he explained.

"When I first came here, I knew nothing about them.

"That day, my auntie showed me how to make them out of clay form."

Mr Denham described the process behind his sculptures.

"We build them with two slabs of clay placed together, using a coiled piece and paper in the centre," he said.

Mr Denham's work has taken him across Australia, exhibiting in Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, and Darwin.

"When you're out there with the audience, you tend to teach them about your knowledge, your culture," he said.

"It has become a great honour to travel, educate people, and tell them about the tools and traditional objects we display."

As one of the few artists publicly sharing knowledge of rainforest Aboriginal culture, Mr Denham said there is still a lack of awareness about his people's heritage.

"Not many people know about the rainforest Aboriginal people," he said.

"When we get out there, we tell them what we know—the tools, the traditional objects, as well as the paintings that our old people paint about."

Alongside his ceramic works, 'Bonday Muggie' features intricate weavings that incorporate both traditional and unconventional materials, such as whipper snipper cord.

Mr Denham also runs workshops twice a week at the Girringun Art Centre to help others learn these techniques.

"I'm doing the pickup for mob and bringing them to the workshop. We could probably get through about three to four a day, depending on how everyone's going," he said.

"We also make them for our large exhibitions, like the ones in Cairns, Kyatt, and Darwin, and then South Australia as well."

Mr Denham has been a regular exhibitor at the Kyatt Festival and confirmed he will return this year.

His upcoming 'Bonday Muggie' exhibition at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts will feature an artist talk, allowing visitors to hear firsthand about his work.

The exhibition's title is deeply personal.

"The name 'Bonday Muggie' is my language name, and that has been given to me by my grandfather," he said.

"That language name sits just south of Cardwell, here on the mainland, just south as you come over the range.

"That's my traditional owner area here in Cardwell."

Mr Denham hopes his work inspires younger generations to connect with their culture and keep artistic traditions alive.

"Everyone's welcome," he said.

"All the traditional owner groups that we try to stand by and provide artwork for are all welcome.

"That is what we do—to work for mob and put them out there for exhibitions like this one and many more, to carry on the stories and knowledge of our people."

The 'Bonday Muggie' exhibition will run for several weeks, offering the Gurambilbarra/Townsville community the opportunity to engage with Mr Denham's work.