Artworks by Elisa Jane Carmichael are set to provide striking public displays of Quandamooka culture, highlighting the strong connections between country and generations past, present and future.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council, with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), was delighted to announce Elisa as the feature artist for the 2017 Quandamooka Festival Temporary Public Art Banners.
“We are proud to partner with QYAC to profile Elisa’s work until the end of 2017 in the latest rotation of temporary art through the Creative Arts Redlands’ Public Art Program,” Cr Williams said.
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“For the women in my life, past, present, future (detail) will be installed on Thursday 27 July at Harold Walker Jetty in Dunwich (Goompi) and on the feature wall overlooking Redland Art Gallery, Middle Street, Cleveland (Nandeebie).
“It will be complemented by the photographic dual portrait Carrying Home 2017, to be displayed at Redland Performing Arts Centre.
“I encourage people to seek out these artworks and the many other wonderful arts, cultural, environmental and dining events happening over the next three months.”
Quandamooka Festival Curator Avril Quaill said showcasing Quandamooka artists was a high priority for their program.
“Elisa is immensely talented – the public art banners are not only beautiful draw cards in their own right, but their placements in three prominent locations are a stunning visual way to highlight the 2017 Quandamooka Festival and its ideals.
Elisa Jane Carmichael is a Ngugi woman from the Quandamooka Country of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia.
A Salt Water Murris Quandamooka artist, currently completing a Gilimbaa Artist in Residence in Alice Springs, Carmichael is passionate about nurturing and preserving her strong connection to the sand and sea, Yoolooburrabee.
Affectionately known as ‘Leecee’, Elisa works in an array of colours and materials, weaving her family’s connection to Country through paint and fibres.
Elisa said her piece For the women in my life, past, present, future (detail) drew inspiration from her ancestry and childhood.
“Mum and I would always weave together. I think about how I am in a new place and reflect on the women in my life—past, present, and future… This work is about describing the way I carry country with me, about who I am, then and now as one of the saltwater people.”
Elisa’s dual portrait Carrying Home also reflects on her strong connection to heritage and home.
“Carrying Home is a dual portrait…It’s about who I am today and my place as an Aboriginal woman: a saltwater woman living in desert country. By living in desert country, I have learnt that saltwater is with me wherever I go. I am carrying home with me.”
Her exhibition ‘Connecting Waves: a saltwater woman living on desert country’ can be seen at Onespace Gallery from 5 July – 5 August as part of the 2017 Quandamooka Festival.
