Cairns Regional Gallery - Images of the North

Dennis Nona, Mugi Ulakalal

Cairns Regional Gallery presents a unique visual experience with the exhibition Images of the North 1897 - 2008. 45 works of art were sourced from local, state public and private collections, to take Gallery visitors on an artistic journey throughout the Tropical North Queensland region, exploring the rich cultural origins and diversities that have shaped the area from the mid 19th Century to the present day.

Central to the exhibition are 2 magnificent works by indigenous artist Dennis Nona. Dennis Nona is widely acknowledged as one of the most prodigious contemporary Torres Strait Islander artists. As a boy, he learned the traditional craft of woodcarving and is recognised for pioneering the development of the highly intricate linocut prints now synonymous with Torres Strait Islands art. Mugi Ulakalal Small herd of dugong is carved from Raintree wood and finished with black coral. This stunning pair of dugong sculptures tells the story of swimming along with the herd, while keeping a little apart from the main body of the group. The intricate patterns on the mother represent the seagrass reef (Maza) on Badu Island where dugong feed.

Artists featured in this exhibition include Donald Friend, Sam Thaiday, Thancoupie, Ray Crooke, Yvonne Cohen and Wiliam Yang.

Images of the North is on display until 5 April 2009

Cairns Regional Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday and Public Holidays 1 - 5pm. Entry is $5 per adult, children under 16 free.