Edna Ambrym, Mayi Bugaam - Land (detail digitally altered), 2017.
Two plate colour etching. Courtesy of Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct
Contemporary stories by Yarrabah artists
Jabu Birriny, meaning ‘land’ and ‘sea’, celebrates the unique environment of Yarrabah and its ongoing importance to culture and people.
Co-curated with Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, a branch of theYarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council
Jabu Birriny (land + sea) teaser, 2017
Pronounced: Jah-boo Bir-rin-ee
Edna Ambrym Mayi Bugaam - Sea, 2017
Two plate colour etching Courtesy of Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct
Jabu Birriny, meaning ‘land’ and ‘sea’, celebrates the unique environment of Yarrabah and its ongoing importance to culture and people.
Located on the shore of Cape Grafton in Far North Queensland, Yarrabah is the traditional Country of the Gunggandji people. It is a dynamic Aboriginal community surrounded by tropical native bushland and mountain ranges united by sandy coastlines and coral reefs.
Jabu Birriny brings together stories rich in lineal, past and recent histories through vibrant prints, intricately woven vessels and textured ceramics that embody the land and sea. The exhibition has been co-curated with Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, a branch of the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.
Yarrabah Art Centre artists and independent artist Elverina Johnson are renowned for their production of distinctive contemporary work in the mediums of ceramic, textile, fibre, print and painting. Each artist has their own unique approach to their art making which celebrates the community’s cultural identity of the land and sea and continues the cultural practices and stories unique to the area.
In 1892, the location of Yarrabah was established as the Bellenden-Ker Mission by Reverend John Brown Gribble, and it was later named Yarrabah Mission. In the following years, early state administrators forcibly relocated Aboriginal people and some South Sea Islanders from many different groups and areas across Queensland to Yarrabah. Today, many in the community claim historical or traditional ownership to the area.
Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct was established in 2002 and comprises of the Art Centre and the Menmuny Museum. The Art Centre is a hub for community members to come together, create in diverse art forms and undertake cultural activities. The space supports skills development in order to increase opportunities towards employment and self-determination.
Yarrabah Art Centre has extensively exhibited in local, state and national exhibitions and artists are represented in public and private collections. The artists have also produced commissioned works and public art in the Yarrabah Community, including video projections on the Cairns City Library building for Cairns Festival 2017.
Philomena Yeatman, 2017
Image: Elverina Johnson
Michelle Yeatman
Image: Yarrabah Arts
Valmai Pollard, 2017
Image: Elverina Johnson
Edna Ambrym, 2017
Image: Elverina Johnson
Ruben Ambrym, 2017
Image: Elverina Johnson
Elverina Johnson, 2017
Image: Elverina Johnson
This activity booklet has educational yet fun activities that relate to the Jabu Birriny exhibition to learn about Yarrabah, art, culture and lifestyle.
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This Resource list contains details of SLQ collection items relating to Yarrabah.
Designed for 13yrs +
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