UNITED JOURNEY BY JANDAMARRA CADD

This large scale, multi-layered triptych series of paintings was commissioned as part of the Place Activation Grant program following an Expression of Interest call out in 2022.

Installed in the café courtyard of the MET, this symbolic and vibrant work invites us all to contemplate the past, present and future of Maroochydore and reflect on our own personal connection to this significant place.

Jandamarra Cadd is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung descendent living on Gubbi Gubbi country. His use of vibrant and expressive portraiture in a signature style is a medium to bridge the story telling divide between Aboriginal and mainstream Australia.

He has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize and the Brisbane Portrait Prize. In 2019, he was commissioned to paint the portrait of Nova Peris OAM for Parliament House in Canberra, the first Aboriginal artist to paint a portrait for the Historic Memorials Collection. He recently completed a large scale mural of Uncle Kev Carmody for the new student accommodation building at the University of Queensland, Kev Carmody House.

It is the artist’s strong belief that connection to place is an intrinsic part of the communities we build, providing us with our sense of identity and nurturing our own well-being.

United Journey asks viewers to take responsibility for looking after the places that form us, based on the fact that ultimately, we are all the current custodians for the generations past, present and future.

The work will be officially launched at a lunchtime artist talk at the MET on Thursday 30th March from 12.30pm- 1.30pm.

The artwork will remain on display until 30 June 2023.

The Place Activation Grants Program is an initiative of the Maroochydore City Centre delivered in partnership with Walker Corporation, SunCentral and Sunshine Coast Council.

For more information: https://mccmetropolitan.com.au/news/united-journey-by-jandamarra-cadd