Five artists have brought their collection of art to Cairns to celebrate and tell the story of their connection to people and places here.

There is a long history of family and knowledge here.

The story of place, identity, struggle, celebration and endurance are the inspiration for each artist

The marine environment, the salt pans, the beaches, the birds, the history all call out - they begin and unfold in each painting.

In the moment things come together - in song and dance and painting the country is one voice to share and connect.

The message is strong and unwavering, it's the heart of our life, beating strong, our land.

We share our paintings with you:

"We carry the history in a song, in a painting like a map."
Nancy Yukuwal McDinny

“We connect through family and places from Queensland... Palm Island, Doomadgee, Yarrabah to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Manakurra, Borroloola, Robinson River, Sandridge Station and Wandangula and then to Western Australia to Derby and Broome.”
Stewart Karmburmar Hoosan


“It has taken me into a world of unexpected patterns and shapes set free by nature... being under water, it's rhythm is my world."
Julian Brown


"I feel good painting, my stories are filling my head now. I have to paint them."
Selma Marrbarmarnyar Hoosan


"The painting is inside the rocks… and that’s why we go there all the time you know, missing that place, looking after the place for my Dad."
Isa Yubuyu McDinny