Exhibiting artist Erin Jia says the Freshwater Saltwater exhibition is unifying her various cultural backgrounds. Photo: Supplied.
The stories of Cape York and Torres Strait Islander artists are front and centre at the 12th UMI Arts Freshwater Saltwater exhibition.
The popular annual exhibition was unveiled on Friday, showcasing 34 diverse works from 12 artists across acrylic on canvas, monoprints, and woven artefacts.
Exhibiting artist Erin Jia, who has connections to Badu Island, Murray Island and Malanbarra Yidinji, said the exhibition theme allowed her to celebrate her various stories and histories.
“It really sits with me, because I am freshwater and I am saltwater,” she said.
“With my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestry and my lineage, it means the two coming together, and that’s what we are.
“We are two different cultural groups, but we are one, and it’s so beautiful to be able to bring an exhibition together to show that as a unity.”
Despite Ms Jia’s Aboriginal lineage not originating on Cape York, she said artwork sold and given to the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council in 2023 strengthened her connection to art, and resulted in her working in community after the Tropical Cyclone Jasper flood event.
“It felt like I was going to be in Wujal Wujal working, with my artwork being given to them as a return to community after their disaster, and they were displaced from their community, so that was a big connection for me,” she said.
“I’m really finding where my Aboriginal connections lie, and I felt that from my artwork and weaving.
“It was great to go and live and work up in Wujal Wujal and connect with the Aboriginal people up there, and I made some amazing relationships up there.”
