Three New Exhibitions Explore Culture, Identity And Truth

Image source: Mackay Regional Council  

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Artspace Mackay will welcome three new exhibitions this October, showcasing First Nations artists and exploring stories of culture, identity, ancestry and truth.

Opening Friday, October 2, the exhibitions include Torres Strait Islander ancestry, Pacific cultural connections and contemporary political commentary.

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Mayor Greg Williamson said the exhibitions combined visiting art with selected works from Council’s own collection.

“Art has an important role to play in a community. It gives us a chance to see the world through different eyes, to learn about the stories and experiences of others, and to reflect on our own sense of place and identity,” Mayor Williamson said.

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The Main Gallery will feature Kulba A Kaib, a solo exhibition by acclaimed Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson (Kala Lagaw Ya / Wuthathi). Born on Waiben (Thursday Island) and now based in Cairns, Robinson’s works draw on ancestral knowledge, cultural narratives and contemporary visual culture.

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The Foundation Gallery will present Pacific Currents, drawn from the Mackay Regional Council Art Collection and exploring the interconnected cultures, histories and identities of the Pacific region.

Completing the lineup is Darren Blackman’s Post Truth in the Foyer Gallery. Created in response to the 2025 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair theme, Pay Attention!, the exhibition explores political and social forces through LED neon text-based sculptures.

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Artspace Mackay Exhibition Curator Dylan Mooney will host an Exhibition Floor Talk with Robinson and Blackman on Saturday, October 3. The free guided tour has limited places.

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The three exhibitions run until December 13, with free admission.

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