MAREE KOO-OILA | ‘Wal-ngal’ | Acrylic on stretched canvas Claudine Marzik the mat is the first

the mat is the first thing to touch the ground before the coffin is laid to rest

ALMA NORMAN | ‘Shark Season’ | 2024 | Etching | 33 (h) x 49 (w) cm

Region: Waiben (Thursday Island)

Our mothers and aunties would tell us stories using these natural figurines while drawing in the sand

Her family and community members would walk to the stones during low tide

MAREE KOO-OILA | ‘Wal-ngal’ | Acrylic on stretched canvas Claudine Marzik the mat is the firstAn emerging artist at Wik & Kugu, Maree is the granddaughter of the late Akay Koooila who was one of the first female painters in Aurukun. Like her grandmother, Maree applies bold colour combinations to express her unique cultural identify. Her paintings draw on the lands surrounding Aurukun, including her own tribal country of Wal ngal and Knox River. Maree belongs to the Winchanam Ceremonial Clan. The Akay KooOila is an arts studio for women and is