Sammy Clarmont, Nhampi, 11/25, 600x420 cm, 1997

Stand No. 8

Lockhart River Aboriginal Community Arts & Cultural Centre

Lockhart River is a remote Aboriginal community on the east coast ofCape York. It is about 850 km north of Cairns by road. The community isof about 800 people and located bounded by the sea rainforest and low mountainranges.

Over the past seven years, a group of contemporary artists has developedin the community. All of these contemporary artists are under 30 years old.Their main works are painting on canvas and fine art prints.

During the past two years there has been an emphasis on working withartists to develop fine art printing. At the Arts and Cultural Centre, artistshave access to professional work spaces and to a fine art print studio andworkshop.

The work of the community is a contemporary response to the environment,culture and traditions of their isolated Aboriginal community. It expressessome of the realities of being Aboriginal and the strong influences of traditionalculture and values in their world. The art work from Lockhart River promotesthe cultural identity of the young Aboriginal people in contemporary Australianculture.