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Marrkai Gub (Cyclone Yasi)

Artist Joel Sam (1977)

Publisher Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking

Date2011

Object number00051502

NameLinocut

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 1200 x 810 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionLinocut by Torres Strait Islander artist Joel Sam, representing a major cyclone that devastated Far North Queensland in 2011, Cyclone Yasi. His work explores weather patterns, cycles, and other forces of nature, as these are of a high cultural importance both in the present and the past.HistoryArtist Biography: Joel Sam's family lives in Bamaga and originates from Saibai Island. Born on Thursday Island, he currently lives in Cairns, having finished his art studies in 2005 with a Diploma of Art from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Visual Arts Course at the Tropical North Queensland TAFE. Since then he has been developing an art practice and technical skills in the medium of the linocut. Joel's artworks are inspired by his culture, and the images are of sea creatures that live in and around the Torres Strait, such as turtles, squid, the fish of the reef and the shells and corals of the Coral Sea. Joel is a regular exhibitor at KickArts, and Djumbunji Press is publishing several of his new prints. His work is currently taking an exciting new direction. He is focusing on weather patterns, cycles, and occurrences, along with other forces of nature, as these are of a high cultural importance in both past and present days. Artwork statement: This linocut is a present day story of Mother Nature. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi began forming as a tropical low north-west of Fiji on the 29th January 2011 and proceeded to cross the coast of Australia near Mission beach, Far North Queensland, 138km south of Cairns, on Thursday 3rd February 2011 between midnight and 1am as a Category 5 system. The strong blade like sections represent the powerful winds bearing down on the communities it devastated, whilst the softer sections represent the minimal winds in outlying regions. This work represents an exciting new direction that Sam's work is taking. He is focusing on weather patterns, cycles, and occurrences, along with other forces of nature, as these are of a high cultural importance in both past and present days.