Marking Places

by Jan Aird - KickArts Contemporary Arts
(Cairns QLD Australia)

Artist: Fabian Riley Wuban (tree frog)

‘Marking Places’ is the third exhibition in the KickArts Hatch series and features works of art by Michael Anning, Daniel Beeron, Theresa Beeron, Mark Hollingsworth, Abe Muriata, Napolean Oui and Fabian Riley in collaboration with the Aboriginal Rainforest Art Group (ARAG).

Hatch: KickArts Regional Exhibition Series is a new industry development initiative that supports the presentation and promotion of more artists in KickArts’ high quality exhibition program and is funded by Arts Queensland.

The Indigenous artists presenting in Marking Places are from the tropical rainforest region of Far North Queensland, which stretches along the east coast from Townsville to the Bloomfield River north of Cairns. It incorporates the Daintree Rainforest and is the only surviving part of the ancient Gondwana Rainforest in Australia.

Within this region there are 20 distinct Aboriginal tribal groups that have inhabited the rainforest for thousands of years. These are: Banjin, Bar-Barrum, Buluwai, Djabugay, Djiru, Girramay, Gulngay, Gunggandji, Jirrbal, Koko Muluridji, Kuku Yalanji, Madjanyi, Ma:Mu, Ngadjon-Jii, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Wanyurr, Yidinji and Yirrganydji.

The artifacts from this region are unique and include large, broad shields, wooden swords up to 1.5m in length, the cross boomerangs, bicornial baskets, decorated bark blankets and ceremonial fire stick sets. The shields from this region were traditionally the largest in Australia and were made from the buttress roots of a native fig tree which is only found in the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. These large shields provided a “canvas” for this art form to evolve exclusively amongst the rainforest people over thousands of years.

It was in this remote rainforest region that this unique culture and art evolved in virtual isolation and even today it is still little known outside of the region. Each of the traditional groups has developed its own style and designs but together all the art from the region is still easily recognisable as ‘Rainforest Art’ due to the large blocks of colour outlined in black used to produce bold, geometric designs which have totemic and cultural meanings and significance. Symbols and icons unique to the region are also incorporated in the designs.

This striking artform is very distinctive and unlike any other Indigenous art in Australia. This style, interpreted as contemporary art on canvas, has the potential to become the next breakout Indigenous art movement in Australia. This is one of the main goals of the Aboriginal Rainforest Art Group.

Marking Places is currently on exhibition at KickArts in Gallery Two and officially opens on Saturday 22 August in Gallery Two at 12.00 midday. The exhibition runs through to September 12. Entry is free and everybody is welcome.


Artist: Fabian Riley
Image: Wuban (tree frog)
Photographer: David Campbell