First Nations family connections highlighted at gallery

Published: 24th November 2022

Greenbank-based artist Jessica Skeen-McKinnon (Muralappi) is bringing together the members of her talented family for this special group exhibition.

They will be part of the gallery’s exhibition round running from Friday, December 2 until Saturday, January 21.

The Skeen Mob: Family, Culture, Resilience exhibition focuses on how Aboriginal culture and knowledge is passed down through family connections.

It will be the first exhibition of its kind for the family.

All of Jessica’s family – her brothers, sisters and dad - make a living from their art but have not exhibited before.

Many Skeen family members learned art and craft skills from their father Uncle Joseph Skeen, a renowned artist and second-generation Aboriginal artefact maker who is now in his 80s.

Joseph makes clapping sticks and didgeridoos but his main focus now is shaping and painting boomerangs and passing on his knowledge.

Jessica (Muralappi) is the artist behind the eye-catching designs at the Logan Gardens water play area.

She is excited to present this exhibition to showcase her talented family members and especially her father who has left a proud legacy.  

“Everyone is quietly excited for the event and my dad is humbled by the idea of having this exhibition and the tribute it pays,” Jessica said.

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, said it would be special to see so many of the family’s artistic endeavours in the one place.

“This exhibition offers a wonderful glimpse of First Nations artistry and I hope the community will take the time to visit,” Cr Koranski said.

She said the Skeen mob exhibition would complement other interesting exhibits, all by local artists.

“This offers a chance for the community to see the wealth of artistic talent we have in the City of Logan.”

The exhibition round also features:

Bespoke: made in Logan -  This exhibition showcases contemporary jewellery and small objects by both well-known and emerging local makers. Some works will be on sale in the expanded gallery store.   Hidden in the folds - Springwood artist Chrys Zantis is exploring brain function and connections through design, textiles and photography.   Ripple effect: out of Artwaves - Each year Logan Art Gallery selects one of the outstanding young artists who exhibited in the annual Artwaves secondary schools art exhibition. The 2022 mentorship was awarded to Sally Hoang.

At the opening of the round on Friday, December 2 there will be talks by Jessica Skeen-McKinnon (Muralappi) and Chrys Zantis from 5.30pm.

John Conroy, former Manager of Queensland Aboriginal Creations, and Associate Professor Marta Garrido, from the University of Melbourne, will be the opening speakers from 6pm.

The opening will include a Welcome to Country and a dance performance at 6.15pm by the Yulu Barri Ba group.

The opening is a free event but bookings are recommended and can be made by visiting logan.qld.gov.au/artgallery

The gallery, on the corner of Jacaranda Ave and Wembley Rd, Logan Central, is open Tuesday to Saturday (10am to 5pm). Entry is free.