Erub Arts Centre, Darnley Island works to revitalise traditional Erubam le and share it with the world. Erub, also known as Darnley Island, is one of the most remote communities in Australia, located 160km north east of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. This beautiful volcanic island situated in deep turquoise waters, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef is home to approximately 400 Erubam people.

 

“We hear the wind…….We are seafarer people. Our livelihood depends on the sea. We are saltwater people and we are the seafarers.” Florence Gutchen, artist, Darnley Island. 

 

This sense of identity and relationship with the sea is at the core of the most recent work of Erub artists. The fabrics they produce are testimony to their passion for environment and culture. Financially the work supports artists and their families and is now vital to keeping culture and their livelihood.  The artists have focussed on the reef which surrounds their island home - drawing and developing textile designs from the marine forms. These designs are hand or digitally printed onto a range of fabrics.  The final outcome is an innovative range of contemporary fashion clothing designed for casual living in the tropics of Australia - everyday leisure wear with attitude.

 

This exhibition is an outcome of research and collaboration between Valerie Kirk, Head of Textiles and Higher Degree Research Convener, School of Art Dr Louise Hamby, Research Fellow, Digital Humanities Hub, RSHA And Erub Arts Centre.