JOEL SAM | 'Dhoeri - Top Western Headdress' | Feather Sculpture

SAIBAI DHOERI’S

"I wish to acknowledge the families of the late Carolus Isua for allowing me to create these four Saibai Dhoeri’s.  

These four dhoeri’s represent the cultural practices that was brought with the families during the movement from Saibai Island to the mainland.  To this present day, we as Saibai Islanders living on the mainland still maintain our cultural practices, through our language, ceremonies, stories, dance and songs.

With respect to our fore fathers, elders and families." - Joel Sam

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 | 'Dhoeri - Top Western Headdress' | 2024 | Feather Sculpture | 70 (h) x 50 (w) cm