Event: UMI Arts presents 'Visions of the Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait)' - an exhibition by print artist Justin Majid

Venue: UMI Arts Shop and Galleries

9:00am Monday 6th February 2012

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'Visions of the Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait)', is Justin Majid's first solo exhibition of works on paper which is currently on show at UMI Arts Exhibition Gallery, 335 Sheridan Street, North Cairns.

Master Printer Theo Tremblay, (a Master of Arts from Cambridge University) will officially launch 'Visions of the Zenadh Kes'. Tremblay moved to Australia in the 70s and has played a significant role in the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander printmaking.

Justin's exhibition 'Visions of the Zenadh Kes' will showcase works on paper inspired by his cultural connection to life on the Islands. Justin's artwork celebrates his passion as an upcoming Torres Strait Islander print artist. Like many proud Islanders, Justin is of mixed heritage including Islander (Horn, Boigu and Badu), Aboriginal and European.

Justin grew up on Horn Island and Cairns. Whilst living in Cairns, Justin was a student at Cairns Tropical TAFE undergoing a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts at Banggu Minjaany Art Centre, Tropical North Queensland TAFE, in 2009. Justin was invited to exhibit in 2011 at the Cairns Regional Gallery 'Storyboat' exhibition of emerging Zenadh Kes printmakers, and at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. In 2010, Justin exhibited at the Jeffery Moose Gallery in Seattle, Washington, USA and is currently training with Master Printer Theo Tremblay at Editions Tremblay NFP. His works are represented by Gab Titui Gallery, Thursday Island and in regional and private galleries in Australia and the USA.

"My exhibition 'Visions of the Zenadh Kes' explores the cultural experiences I've gained over time while growing up on the Islands. It is also about the wide range of knowledge of Island life, the wild-life of both land and sea, weather and plant life that has been passed down for many generations", says Justin. "I want others to be inspired about the environment that surrounds them and to get creative and practise art as a way of maintaining culture. Most of the works I've created are thoughts reflected on my time growing up on the Islands or have come through as dreams I've had of home", Justin says.

Justin's works signify the strength of Torres Strait Islander culture and traditions in relation to the land, sea, myths and legends of the Torres Strait which are depicted throughout his work.

Justin's exhibition is the culmination of his participation in the UMI Arts Exhibition Ready Program. Exhibition Ready provides artists at all stages of their careers with training in the 'nuts and bolts' of preparing and presenting artwork for exhibition and sale. UMI Arts is the peak Indigenous arts and cultural organisation for Far North Queensland. It is a not-for-profit company with an all-Indigenous Board of Directors, and it is owned by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts community of Far North Queensland.

Please join UMI Arts in celebrating Justin's first solo exhibition followed by refreshments.

'Visions of the Zenadh Kes' runs from Friday 20th of January to Wednesday 29th of February, 2012.

UMI Arts Shop and Exhibition Gallery is located at 335 Sheridan St, North Cairns. For further information please call us on 07 4041 6152 or email us at umisupport@umiarts.com.au

*Artwork by Justin Majid, 'Seahorse' 2011, Vinylcut Print.