UMI’s 10th Freshwater Saltwater exhibition opens

Several Torres Strait and NPA artists will feature in UMI Arts’ 10th annual Freshwater Saltwater Exhibition, which officially opens tomorrow night in Cairns.

Featuring 20 works on canvas and paper, fabrics, ceramics, and artefacts by 11 of the region’s best-known, mid-career to established artists, Freshwater Saltwater is UMI Arts’ popular, premium exhibition with a track record for attracting the attention of art lovers and collectors from home and away.

Exhibiting artists include Natasha Davui (Cairns), Anzak Newman (Bamaga), Rosie Ware (Moa Island, Torres Strait) and Peter Kulla Kulla (from NPA). UMI Arts’ Exhibitions and Gallery Officer, Robyne Pacey said Freshwater Saltwater was a curated group exhibition featuring a distinct and diverse lineup of artists.

“This year’s beautiful and thought-provoking collection of artworks is a collective and artistic response to culture and Country that represents the flowing together of our First Nations people’s cultures and stories, from rainforest to desert to island,” she said.

She said there were many notable works comprising this year’s exhibition.

“Freshwater Saltwater is a real celebration for our artists who have independently achieved a major milestone in their career with artwork that is a high level of quality, collectible, and exhibition ready,” she said.

“While we do focus many of our programs and exhibitions on developing emerging artists, Freshwater Saltwater is about enhancing the profiles and careers of our more established members who by osmosis, provide an inspiration to newcomers – demonstrating just how far art practice and cultural expression can take you.”

UMI Arts’ Freshwater Saltwater Exhibition officially opens at 6pm on Friday 7 July 2023 at UMI Arts’ Jensen Plaza Gallery in Manoora.

The exhibition is free to view between Monday and Friday and runs until 31 August 2023

For more, visit www. umiarts.com.au