The artists of Lockhart River - known as the Lockhart River
"Art Gang" - are the best known of north Queensland's
Aboriginal artists.
Cape York has a number of communities active
in producing art works in addition to the Lockhart River "Art
Gang", but these are generally not as well known. In 2003
the Queensland Art Gallery held a landmark exhibition "Story
Place" which demonstrated the breadth of work being produced
on Cape York (the catalogue is available through our online
shop). While the Aboriginal artists of Cape York have not
been as well organised as in the centre, Top End or the Kimberley,
this situation is starting to change.
Lockhart River is a remote community on the east coast of Cape
York in far north Queensland, approximately 850 kilometres north
of Cairns by road. The community of about 600 people is located
near the coast and is bounded by rainforest, low mountain ranges
and the sea. During the wet season, creeks and rivers flood
and close the road into town from the highway. Sea and air are
the only access at this time. In some wet seasons the road can
be closed from December until June.
The coastline is strung with sandy beaches where creeks and
rivers enter the sea through mangrove protected estuaries. Traditional
foods (bush tucker and seafood) are popular. People enjoy their
traditional lands and retain many aspects of traditional culture.
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During the 1990s a group of young, contemporary artists
developed in the community. The ‘Art Gang’,
as they are known locally and now more widely, emerged
in 1995. They are supported and work professionally through
the Lockhart River
community Art Centre.
The Centre was set up in 1997 in a refurbished building
(recently extended) to provide work space and support
for the members of the Art Gang. All of these artists
are between 20 and 30 years old. Their main works are
paintings on canvas and fine art prints.
The best known of the Lockhart River artists include
Rosella Namok, Samantha Hobson, Fiona Omeenyo, Silas Hobson
and Adrian King. For details, see our page on Lockhart
River Artists. |
Fiona Omeenyo |
Rosella Namok |
Silas Hobson |
The Art Gang’s work is a contemporary response to the
environment, culture and traditions of this isolated Aboriginal
Community. It expresses some of the realities of being Aboriginal
and the strong influences of traditional culture and values
in their world. They have developed their own forms of expression
which are very different from the art of central Australia and
other parts of Australia. The art from Lockhart River promotes
the cultural identity of young Aboriginal people in contemporary
Australian culture.
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Lockhart
River Art, Cape York Peninsula
