JOEL SAM | ‘Gaigai’ | Linocut print

 The Gaigai (GT) is both an important species to commercial fisheries and game fishing. Gaigai (GT) can be found around coastal and offshore waters and are one of the famous species caught at Seisia wharf.  Many tourists travel to Cape York only to fish off the famous Seisia wharf. Gaigai with their sharp teeth eat just about anything but feed mainly on baitfish such as sardines. Sardines are plentiful under the Seisia wharf where you are sure to catch the Gaigai. In this print, I have used the seagrass, which can be found in the patterns and the sardines.

Joel Sam’s family lives in Bamaga, Cape York, and originates from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait. Born on Thursday Island in 1977, he currently lives in Cairns, having finished his art studies in 2005 with a Diploma of Art from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Visual Arts Course at the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE. Since then he has been developing an art practice and technical skills in the media of linocut, sculpture and etching.

Joel Sam is a regular exhibitor at NorthSite Contemporary Arts. Joel's works are held in the collections of the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Burnie Regional Art Gallery, the Cairns Regional Gallery and the Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra. Recently Joel Sam was the recipient of the Premier's Award for Exellence - The Queensland Government prize at the Cairns Indigeous Art Fair in 2024. 

JOEL SAM | ‘Gaigai’ | Linocut print | 2024 | 80 (h) x 121 (w) cm