Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) has a new star on the rise by the name of Delvene Cockatoo-Collins. The local artist has already scored gold in our hearts with her stunning medal designs for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
To appreciate Cockatoo-Collins’s art is to appreciate the beauty South East Queensland’s Indigenous culture has to offer. Minjerribah is not only called home by the artist, it is also the birthplace of many of her ancestors, holding a deep sentimental value to her. Her current practice includes textiles, ceramic and jewellery. Through her designs, she expresses the history of her family in relation to the island’s natural beauty and stories.
Delvene, who is a proud Nunukul, Ngugi and Goenpul woman of Quandamooka Country (Moreton Bay area), is well known in the region. Many of her handmade artworks and homewares are exposed at her Dunwich-based business Made on Minjerribah.
In addition to being an accomplished artist, Delvene is also a Doctor of Creative Arts with Philosophy research in Indigenous Perspectives. She will be showcasing her work in relation to this project in an upcoming exhibition at Redland City Art Gallery. The Search for Warrajamba will be held from 6 April to 27 May and is inspired by a mermaid named Warrajamba, an important cultural figure of Quandamooka first introduced to Delvene by the words of her grandmother Bethal Delaney.
Through installations, prints and ceramics, the exhibition will honour an important cultural narrative whilst celebrating family, country and storytelling. In regards to her recent medals design success, Delvene stated: “The positive response to my medal designs has been a really humbling experience and it is important to me to promote beautiful Minjerribah”. “I’m excited about sharing more of my work in The Search for Warrajamba exhibition, which honours my ancestors.” Delvene will also be hosting a workshop on Sunday 22 April.
For more information about the artist, visit her website Made on Minjerribah or portfolio site.
