How lucky are we, that from the 17 April to the 4 May, the Yarrabah artists; Philomena Yeatman, Michelle Yeatman, Edna Ambrym, Valmai Pollard, Christopher Harris and the late Simone Arnol, share a little bit of paradise with us.
Yarrabah : Together in Print exhibition showcases artwork from Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct in Far North Queensland. The collections consists of screen-printed works and large-scale collaborative works on canvas, most notably the Always,Respect and Truth series. These series are original screen-printed paintings on drop cloth layered with paint with prints and marks of totems and imagery of Yarrabah. What began as a tool to protect the tables became a canvas of truth, holding the weight of stories struggle and strength that only Yarrabah artists could produce. Over twelve months, this cloth absorbed the work of artists across generations.
“This work is a declaration that our culture is not just history, it is present, powerful, and enduring. It reminds viewers to pay attention to the land beneath their feet, to the wisdom of Old People, and to the continuing fight for recognition, justice, and truth. Our art is not decoration; it is resistance, remembrance, and reclaiming." - Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct
Screen printing has long been a tool of resistance, visibility, and collective voice. In these series, the artists reclaim that process, layering it with the values and stories that guide First Nations communities. The repetition of words across the canvas becomes more than text — it becomes rhythm, chant and declaration.
This cloth carries the spirit of Country and community. It honours those who walked before us and demands that their voices never fade. In every mark made, there is a call to listen, to learn, and to respect what always was, and always will be - Aboriginal land." - Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct
The works remind us that Aboriginal people have always been here, that respect for Country, culture and one another is essential, and that truth is necessary for healing and moving forward. Contemporary in form yet grounded in legacy, the series speaks to the past while asserting presence in the present. What you’ll find in the exhibit is that in those individual artist prints a collaboration between all of them and the Always, Respect, Truth canvases. To comment on this is curator and Director of Aboriginal Art Co, Amanda Hayman.
“I curated the exhibition so that individual works are displayed alongside the collaborative canvases, allowing viewers to trace each artist’s print and locate it within the larger collective work. This creates a dialogue between the individual and the shared, revealing the connections and layered stories of Country that build an ecosystem of narratives uniquely grounded in Yarrabah."
Created by Philomena Yeatman, Michelle Yeatman, Edna Ambrym, Valmai Pollard and Simone Arnol, Truth in Print is the result of many hands and voices working together. The works carry the spirit of collective making — a statement of identity, resilience and unity, and an invitation to reflect on the power of language and the enduring truths held within this Country.
In an interview by Rachel Bywaters, at Aboriginal Art Co in Brisbane, Aunty Michelle and Aunty Philomena Yeatman, two of the artists who made the 1700 kilometre trek from Yarrabah to Brisbane, talked about the process, history, story, and the cultural significance of the work.
One piece that encapsulates the artists connection to Yarrabah and cultural significance of the work is ‘Sea Grass,’ a 122cm to 80cm synthetic polymer paint print by Aunty Michelle Yeatman. Aunty Michelle goes on to say …
“This print tells the story of our connection to Sea Country — the saltwater places that hold life, knowledge, and memory. Sea grass is more than just a plant; it is the breath of the ocean … For our people, these meadows beneath the waves remind us of the balance between land and sea, and the responsibility we hold to care for both."
Another work that speaks directly to this message is the piece, Community and the Ocean, featuring imagery inspired by shell life and water, the work speaks to memory, ceremony and the passing of knowledge between generations. Shells are carriers of story, while water represents continuity, resilience and the enduring bond between community and Country. Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct comments on the work, Community and the Ocean that:
"The Yarrabah community holds a deep and enduring relationship with the ocean, a connection woven through culture, identity, and Country. For generations, the shoreline, the reef, and the vastness of the Coral Sea have shaped the community’s stories, rhythms, and way of life. The sea is not just a landscape; it is a living presence, an ancestor, and a teacher.” - Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct
A totem is a natural object, plant, animal that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are assigned at birth to care and conserve for as well as appears in Aboriginal art. Yulu Dreaming, is an example of this, Aunty Philomena comments on her artwork of her totem by saying:
"When our Old People see Yulu (stingray), it means our waters are beautiful and clean. This is a reminder for our young people to follow in their footsteps and to keep our Country clean."
When non-Indigenous artists copy or do Aboriginal art it does not carry the heavy cultural ties that go back thousands of generations for Indigenous artists. To comment on this Amanda Hayman, curator and Director of Aboriginal Art Co.
“Aboriginal art is art made by Aboriginal people. Great Aboriginal art reflects the true identity of the artists and their story. For these artists, it reflects the vibrancy of their natural landscape, the ocean, reef, and the rainforest."
Make sure to see the Yarrabah: Together in Print exhibition at Aboriginal Art Co. Such deep history, creativity and story in these works, it’s one you won’t want to miss!
Written by Waverley Stanley, 2026.
