JOEL SAM | 'Dhanal'| Linocut print

The Dhanal plays an important part in my culture. As a totem, it gives one transparency and clear vision of our surroundings.  When there are environment changes in weather and ebb tides, the Dhanal tends to change habit to survive.  Some may be seasonal and migrate long distances. It is a food source, also has medicinal value to my people of Zenadth Kes. The marine mammal also has an important part in our cultural ceremony and demonstrates our connection with traditional sea country.

This also has a spiritual connection through totemic cultural practice.  For generations, specific cultural protocols was followed when hunting the Dhanal, these protocols are passed down from the elders. 

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 | 'Dhanal' | 2023 | Linocut print | Edition of 20 | 56 (h) x 77 (w) cm