Cape York Weekly: Lost artwork brought back to life
After losing all of her paintings in the Tropical Cyclone Jasper flood, a Wujal Wujal artist is seeing her work come to life in the form of an eight-metre tall light sculpture.
Selected as one of this year’s artists for the Shine on Gimuy multi-arts light festival in Cairns, Doreen Collins will share the story of the cassowary with visitors, based on an original painting that was unfortunately washed away.
Ms Collins, who has since relocated to Cairns after the flood event, said it was heartbreaking to lose so many paintings, but added the festival was another chance to show her work and tell her story.
“[It’s] exciting, it’s another opportunity for people to see my artwork that was lost,” she said.
“I did the sketch of it and they’re building it now.
“I’m excited to share my culture because it’s a part of who I am.”
In only its second year, Shine on Gimuy brings First Nations artists from across Tropical North Queensland region together with a team of fabricators to create a magnificent light show.
“It’s about how do we showcase blak excellence in arts and cultures, as well as the region itself to help stimulate visitation, and bring people from all across the world to this beautiful part of Queensland,” event marketing and partnerships co-ordinator Jack Wilkie-Jans said.
“Artworks that are obviously a great deal smaller when the original artworks come to us can be transformed into major light sculptures.
“This has never been done in Cairns before; artists who are emerging and established working together with a team of expert fabricators to bring together something that is just so dazzling.”
Mr Wilkie-Jans said three artists with completely differing styles would be brought together by colourful lights to decorate Gimuy Boulevard, the entryway to the festival.
“They reflect the colours of the tropics, they reflect the colours of the reef, and more importantly, they reflect what’s in the heart and mind and cultures of these artists,” he said.
The Shine on Gimuy festival will begin on 3 October as the dazzling works light up the Esplanade in Cairns.
By Chisa Hasegawa