Wonga Beach artist Kassandra Savage goes on show

You and Me Exhibition

Contributor Article

Email
Last updated:
Kassandra Savage and exhibition and gallery officer Aleksandra Kostic D with some of Kassandra's work. Picture UMI Arts

Wonga Beach artist Kassandra Savage is part of the  20th year of You & Me, a celebration of First Nations artists across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.

UMI Arts will celebrate the beginning of its public opening of You & Me - the annual member showcase and first exhibition for 2025 today (Friday, March 7). 

And Kassandra is excited by her involvement, which includes three paintings of brolgas.

“My inspiration comes from seeing them most of my life,’’ she said.

“And recently I learnt that the brolga was my great grandmother’s totem.

“I find them very elegant and majestic birds. Their dancing is just amazing. I have been privileged enough to see them dancing on country at times.’’

Kassandra said her research showed the brolga mates for life and they stay with the same partner.

One of her works, Still Dancing, honours her 32-year marriage.

“Another work, Stronger Together, represents that we are stronger standing together. When you have challenges in life, for us it is great we lean on each other.

“It makes me proud that I am able to create artwork. It is just a satisfaction to be able to put it out there for other people to see,’’ Kassandra said.

UMI Arts’ artistic director Lisa Michl ko-manggén OAM said the much-anticipated 2025 iteration of You & Me is a milestone for the organisation that has actively supported, promoted, and celebrated First Nations artists across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait since 2005.

“You & Me has become a cornerstone event in UMI Arts’ calendar, uniting emerging and established artists to share their stories and culture through visual art,” Ms Michl ko-manggén said.

“I am an artist who has experienced the support of UMI Arts firsthand and now I am honoured to jointly lead the UMI Arts team, which works hard to provide growth and opportunity to all First Nations artists across our region.

“UMI is an incredible platform for both emerging and established artists, including its pathways program aimed at all aspects of an artist’s professional development,” she said.

You & Me is an exciting exhibition comprising 15 new artworks, all acrylic on canvas by six First Nations artists from Far North Queensland’s Hopevale and Cape York regions.

According to exhibition and gallery officer Aleksandra Kostic D, this year’s exhibition showcases the poetic power of First Nations storytelling through art. This reinforces UMI Arts’ mission to offer a platform for artists to express their perspectives while preserving culture for future generations.

“Each piece in You & Me 2025 reflects unique family stories and cultural traditions, showcasing the diverse artistic expressions of Far North Queensland’s First Nations communities.

“You & Me presents an incredible opportunity to connect with authentic First Nations artwork and is the perfect exhibition for anyone looking to start or expand their Indigenous art collection,” Ms Kostic D said.

The exhibiting artists for You & Me 2025 are:

Esme Bowen (Gugu Thaypan/Hopevale), Wanda Gibson (Guugu Yimithirr/Hopevale), Shane Gibson (Dhubbi, Bhinthi and Bulgun/Hopevale), Daisy Hamlot (Guugu Yimithirr/Hopevale), Peter Kulla (Lama Lama and Umpila/near Coen) and Kassandra Savage (Waanyi and Kurtijar/Cape York).

UMI Arts invites art lovers and collectors to join the artists in celebrating the opening of You & Me with a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, led by Henry Fourmile, Senior Elder of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji at the UMI Arts Gallery, Jensen Plaza, Manoora, from 6pm on Friday, March 7.  The exhibition can be viewed Monday to Friday until the exhibition closes on April 24.

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.