The cassowary was a precious food source for our ancestors. They used the feathers for ceremonies and weavings, and made their skins into blankets.
I have chosen the cassowary for this vessel because it is my partner’s totem. He performs the cassowary dance in public ceremonies. It was bestowed on him by his mother’s sister when he was a young boy. In 1997 he went with the Yalanji Dance Group to Hong Kong to perform the Cassowary dance there.”
Name: Vanessa Cannon
Language: Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungkul
Community: Mossman
Biography:
I grew up in Mossman, it is my home, and did my schooling here. I have one sister and eight brothers, and I now have five children and two grand-children of my own.
As an artist, I am most interested in screen printing on fabric and making ceramics. I’m keen to continue developing my work for further exhibition opportunities and grow my talent as an artist. I came to the arts through my grandmothers and aunties. I watched them when I was a child and later when I was a young woman I started doing art myself and worked alongside them.
A few years ago, a became an arts worker at Yalanji Arts and I am now responsible for the art studio and look after our artists. We have a pottery and screen printing master who provide studio support, and helps us by developing our printing and pottery skills.
I’ve been exhibiting my work in group exhibitions since 2012 and have had my textiles and fashion designs shown in various fashion performances over the years. It’s very encouraging to me, and working with Yalanji Arts has opened these doors for me, and allowed me to also continue telling the stories of my culture. It’s something I wish for every person to have the chance to do.
Status: Stock A4 Wambiji (Platypus) 2024 Platypus are very shy. They like to hide under rocks and can rarely be seen when people are around. When I was 17 years old, I used to go Read more…
Status: Stock A3 Wambiji (Platypus) 2024 Platypus are very shy. They like to hide under rocks and can rarely be seen when people are around. When I was 17 years old, I used to go Read more…
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