Mavis Ngallametta, Flowers on the swamp (paamp), 2012. Natural ochres and charcoal with acrylic binder on linen, 95 x 140cm. Courtesy: the estate of Mavis Ngallametta.

Mavis Ngallametta (1944–2019) made a profound contribution to arts and culture nationally and particularly in Queensland, her home state. An elder of the Putch clan and a cultural leader of the Wik and Kugu people of Aurukun,  Ngallametta was one of the most well-regarded senior community-based artists in Australia.

This exhibition surveys a decade of the artist’s intricate and animated paintings, bringing together major works from her Pamp/Swamp, Kendall River, Wutan, Ikalath, Yalgamunken, intertidal estuary and powerful bushfire series for the first time. This will be a powerful aesthetic experience and great insight into life on Ngallametta’s country.

QAGOMA is temporarily closed to the public. Keep up to date on QAGOMA’s COVID response via the gallery website.

View walkthrough tours of the show as well as video interviews with Katina Davidson, QAGOMA Curator of Indigenous Art, here.