JOEL SAM | ‘Exodus’ | Linocut print

Exodus 

It was during World War 2 that young men from Saibai Island discovered fertile land with large source of fresh water on Cape York.

The masks in this print represent men from the different clan group having a discussion at a tribal meeting on moving their people to Cape York Peninsula.  The move was for the betterment of their peoples future.  Hardship faced on Saibai Island such as lack of fresh water, flooding during monsoonal tides.  Water and firewood had to be carried, to and from distant places.

The border around the edge of this print represents the different clans who made the journey to Muttee Heads such as; the samu clan (cassowary), umay clan (dog), dhoeybaw clan (yam leaf), the thabu clan (snake) and koedal (crocodile).

The luggers represent the boats which transported the Islanders to Muttee Heads.  The Saibai Islanders worked hard and long hours on trochus and pearl diving to pay for the luggers; MV Millard, Macoy & Sania.  One other lugger was found beached on Thursday Island; this one was restored & named SS Donna.

The two canoes represent the luggers MV Millard and Macoy, which made the initial journey to Muttee Heads from Saibai Island taking the first group of pioneering families.  The Islanders brought with them to their new found home garden produce such as taro, cassava, sweet potatoes and yam.  They brought their culture too, during their journey they sang and danced.

During the second trip, one of luggers ran into a cyclone at the back of Mabuiag Island.  The Islanders spent three days there for repair before continuing on their journey to Thursday Island then onwards to Muttee Heads.

One of the luggers found beached in front of Federal Hotel on Thursday Island; it was rotted severely and buried in the mud.  They stripped the boat and worked tireless to have it restored and restructured.  On completion, the boat SS Donna sailed back and forth to Saibai Island for the last trip to Muttee Heads. 

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 | ‘Exodus’ | Linocut print | 2024 | Edition of 20 | 74 (h) x 122 (w) cm