A Carved Landscape: Stories of Connection and Culture presents a bold collection of prints by Torres Strait Islander artists Brian Robinson and Tamika Grant-Iramu. What began as a formal mentorship between the two, has now progressed into dynamic parallel collegial practices.
Both artists are inspired by their immediate home environments – Cairns for Robinson and Brisbane for Grant-Iramu. Among the works showcased is an ambitious collaborative relief-print, a large-scale installation that merges their two distinctive carving styles. Robinson and Grant-Iramu have divergent experiences of coastal and urban environments, yet their creative responses to place resonate with strong similarities, reflecting Torres Strait Islander traditions where motifs of their natural surroundings are central to their stories.
Their work is infused and underpinned by contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture, familial experiences, mythology (from Indigenous Australia as well as other cultures), popular culture and more traditional art historical concerns. Throughout their collaboration, the physicality of carving lino has simultaneously provoked the sharing of ideas, values and stories.
The artists would like to acknowledge the support of Australia Council for the Arts towards the development of this project. We would also like to thank Editions Tremblay NFP, triebSTUDIO | art+design, Onespace Gallery and Impress Printmakers Studio.
