KAREN GIBSON | 'Wait for Tide' | Acrylic on canvas

"Tide turning, family go fishing, but they must leave to go back across when tide turning. If they don't follow the tide they will get stuck in the rising tide." - Karen Gibson 

Karen Gibson is from the Kuku Yalanji and Kuku Nyungkul tribe. She brings a captivating approach to “Women’s Business”. Her vibrant and evocative acrylic paintings capture the essence of traditional practices and her family’s stories. Her whimsical paintings such as Mukirr Dance, were inspired by memories of her mum and aunties, swimming in the Daintree River, feeling the bottom with their feet, and gathering mussels into their brilliantly coloured dresses. Wait for Tide explores the ebb and flow of tidal changes and the vital role of water in her Community. These narratives resonate with joy and reflect a deep respect for her family and Country.

“I believe God has given me this gift to transform art into a story that only comes from the mind, heart, and life experiences.”

KAREN GIBSON | 'Wait for Tide' | 2024  | Acrylic on canvas | 90 (h) x 50 (w) cm