Welcome to Bana Yirriji Art Centre
Our stories and connection to country keeps us strong in mind and spirit. We are sharing our art and stories with you so you can learn about our culture, history and way of life. Yalada!
About
Bana Yirriji Art Centre is located in Wujal Wujal Community, Far North Queensland. The Centre opened in 2011 and is situated alongside the spectacular Bloomfield River, and is a short walk (1.5kms) from the famous Wujal Wujal Falls.
Bana – meaning water
Yirriji – describes the running waters between Bloomfield River Bridge & Wujal Wujal Falls
Bana Yirriji Art Centre is hosted by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and is a 100% community owned and governed not-for-profit social enterprise. Artists receive 60% of the artwork sale price; the remainder is reinvested back into the Art Centre to fund arts and cultural projects such as trips to country, creative workshops and kids’ programs. The Centre also trains and employs local community members and is a great source of community pride.
Art
Bana Yirriji Art Centre represents artists from the Yalanji, Nyungkul and Jalunji clan groups.
Bama (local people) have had a long history of artistic expression, including ceremonial body painting, weavings made from local plants, rainforest shields and weaponry decorated with clan designs using earth pigments.
Today, artists create stunning contemporary arts and crafts; including paintings, prints, works on paper, textiles, weavings, artefacts and a range of merchandise. Artists draw on their rich cultural, historic, and contemporary stories and profound connection to country as inspiration.
Bana Yirriji Art Centre supplies artists with professional quality art materials and runs a studio space. All artworks sold come with an artwork certificate and artist biography.
The Bana Yirriji Art Centre gallery is open to visitors. Admission Free
Bana Yirriji Art Centre artists create stunning contemporary artworks that express their deep connection to Country. It is so exciting to see the diversity and vibrancy of their art.
Shona Coyne, Curator – National Museum of Australia