Injinoo (and all Aboriginal) people are at one with the land, sea and sky.”
T E H O
N O R T H
ROPEYARN
TRAVERSING THREE REALMS: The physical, natural & spiritual 24 JUNE — 13 AUGUST 2022 The narratives in his work explore several traditional and historical stories including significant events, dreaming sites, totems, the four clan groups that make up the Injinoo peoples and ceremonial body designs encompassing spiritual connection to Country and Ropeyarn is descended from the Angkamuthiand Yadhaykana community on both land and sea. With a focus on preserving and clans from Injinoo on the documenting permitted stories mainland, Badu, Moa and and knowledge passed down Murray Island in the Torres from Elders, Ropeyarn’s visual Strait; Woppaburra people narratives are recreated through (Great Keppel Island) and Batchulla people (Fraser Island). a contemporary lens. The rhythm, patterns, and His practice is focused on his imagery in his work often utilise father’s people’s heritage. elements from body markings Having lived in Injinoo most derived from his region. of his life, he focuses on his Elements of these body markings, Aboriginal heritage to keep which are applied to the abdomen what is remaining, alive. of the subjects, provide symbols that enrich his imagery and connect Ropeyarn’s spirit of the work to his people and Country.
Teho Ropeyarn is an artist and curator from Injinoo, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Born in Mount Isa in 1988, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts (UNSW) in Sydney and is currently based in Cairns, Queensland.
Artist bio Courtesy of OneSpace
Left: Teho Ropeyarn, photographer: Ben Searcy, Courtesy of the artist the Art Gallery of South Australia and Onespace Gallery