Embers of Creativity: Unveiling Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Centre's Charcoal Exhibition

It’s a Friday morning and the general buzz of a working arts centre is underway – the hum of a pottery wheel, the scratching of ceramic carving, the quiet chatter and laughter amongst artists and workers and the squeak of a printmaking press as the centre prepares for an upcoming an exhibition. Even a horse, or “yarraman”, gets curious and comes to say hello but is promptly shooed away.

Unless you’re a nuisance foal, you can’t help but feel welcomed to Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct. Many of the artists' names here are renowned across Australia as masters of their crafts, but meeting them, they’re humble quiet achievers and they’re all working collectively towards Charcoal, an exhibition at Court House Gallery from 25 May to 13 July 2024.

At the heart of this exhibition is the works by the arts centre artists, but they’ve also brought together many from across the community of Yarrabah (Gunggandji Country) to help tell its stories.

“[This exhibition] is about showcasing Yarrabah. Not just the Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, but Yarrabah as a whole, and for me Charcoal brings that together.” says Simone Arnol, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct Manager. “[Charcoal] is such a versatile source and it's also about regrowth as well, and I think that really plays an important part in how everything is happening and around Australia at the moment.”

Artist, Aunty Michelle Yeatman, volunteers a couple of days a week at the arts centre. “This is my therapy, coming here and doing ceramics… It's good with the other artists all joining and coming together as one.” she says. “It'll showcase making a name for the Yarrabah community, and showing them what we do at the art centre. And just being proud of ourselves for this exhibition.”.

Artist, Aunty Michelle Yeatman

As Aunty Michelle told us, “Without fire, there’s no charcoal.”and burning of Country has been an important practice for our First People’s for tens of thousands of years – vital for stimulating seed germination, improving soil quality, reducing the threat of wildfires, and managing our natural environments.

For this exhibition, the Gunggandji Mandingabay-Yidinji Rangers conducted a burn and collected materials from Country, which will be featured inside the gallery, along with traditional fire sticks crafted by Garth Murgha, and a twist on Aunty Michelle’s signature hand-built and carved ceramic balls. These pots will be painted black to represent charcoal and will be illuminated from within to emulate fire and the use of pots as a charcoal oven.

Master potter, Uncle Chris Harris, and emerging artist, Salome Yeatman, are also tackling the topic of the cooking element of charcoal.

Uncle Chris has been doing ceramics for over 50 years and has recently joined the arts centre. His skill is evident as you watch him throw perfect vessel after vessel with his little furry companion, Patricia, at his heels. For the exhibition he is creating beautiful wheel-thrown cups and bowls which he is renowned for.

Uncle Chris Harris throwing on the wheel with his dog, Patricia, at his heels

Salome’s story is about the gathering of wirral shell which are used in cooking. Wirral is a scallop from Yarrabah, usually collected by light children who can go out on mudflats on boards to collect the shells. Complimenting this is a sculptural piece symbolising the spirit of the charcoal – smoke.

Harder hitting is Aunty Philomena Yeatman’s contribution. “Her works speak loud. It's honouring our old people.” says Simone.

“[Charcoal]brings back memories for the Stolen Generation… I'm creating breastplates with charcoal because, in the olden days, when they used to grab fair children, our ancestors used to [rub charcoal] on them to make them a bit darker so they won't be taken.”Aunty Philomena laments. “For me, it's very sad… It's a very sad story for what happened to our ancestors. Especially our Grannies.”

This sparks heavy emotion from Simone, “It's going to be bang in your face and I think it's important as well because the launch of this exhibition is on Reconciliation Week. So, it's just that truth telling and getting that story out there and just that constant reminder for that reconciliation to happen.” Accompanying the breastplates will be photographic works by Simone, and paintings by Elverina Johnson, which also speak to the Stolen Generation and heavier stories of charcoal.

Continuing traditions is also an important theme across the exhibition. Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services - Women’s Group will be showcasing works that represent charcoal’s use for cleaning teeth, while the aptly named Buri Guman Irribamu (One Fire) dance group from Yarrabah Secondary School, led by Nathan Schrieber, will be doing a collaborative piece demonstrating the importance of dancing, and dancing around the fire, and how dance brings everyone together.

Simone explains, “[Charcoal] is making our artwork and stories come to life and more importantly, just that transfer of knowledge… Talking to our Elders and getting their permission to make our stories come to life through artwork as well. And then you're having the kids come and be part of it, and yeah, it's just that transfer of knowledge and making that story come alive.”

Charcoal Exhibition