About the Work

Bulana is Townsville City Council’s inaugural digital projection of First Nation artists for Ephemera 2025. The display includes works by five contemporary artists, demonstrating their connection to Saltwater Country and environmental awareness. These spectacular works were selected based on their potential for a visually arresting, upscaled projection display of colour to celebrate First Nation artists. Featuring the work of some high-profile established artists, the project also provides a momentous opportunity for emerging artists. Local man Jordan Kahle Wyles is acutely aware of the impact human activities has on yangugan, the saltwater turtles that inhabit the Wulgurukaba Sea Country environment. Other artists use a spectacle of colour to convey cultural understanding of their Saltwater Country. Agnes Wotton and Mahalia Mabo both focus on elements of the coral reefs along Palm Island and Townsville, using flamboyant colours to attract audiences and to encourage them to respect the beauty of coral reefs by leaving less traces on the environment. Well-established artist Brian Robinson also uses colourful flowers to convey his deep knowledge of traditional seasonal horticulture practices held by seafaring cultures of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait). As an experienced artist, Susan Peters Nampitjin employs a micro–macro approach to capture the extraordinary nighttime bioluminescence expressed in electric blue colour.

About the Curator

Trish Barnard has more than 35 years’ experience across private and public sectors working on the interpretation of collections and the curation of numerous exhibitions. A third-generation descendant of the Yambina and Jangga people of central Queensland, she co-curated the landmark exhibition Story Place: Indigenous Art of Cape York and the Rainforest at the Queensland Art Gallery in 2003 with Peter Denham. Her master’s research at James Cook University focused on issues associated with misrepresentation and misappropriation of Indigenous motifs. Trish has published widely, and is an Honorary Research Adviser with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Studies Unit at The University of Queensland and Senior Advisor with Peak Services. She has spent the past 10 years working as a freelance curator, researcher, content developer and interpretative writer, delivering national and international projects.

About the Animator

Russell Milledge is an accomplished creative professional who has been working in the art and design industry for over three decades. He has extensive experience in both visual and performing arts, and has collaborated with a variety of leading companies, presenting his work in numerous national and international programs and exhibitions. Russell’s works are featured in the collections of prestigious art galleries, such as the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and Cairns Art Gallery.

He attended the National Art School in Sydney, obtained a Master of Fine Arts from Queensland University of Technology, and a PhD from James Cook University. Throughout his career, Russell has played a significant role in establishing several contemporary arts enterprises and spaces in Far North Queensland; he co-founded KickArts Contemporary Arts Ltd (now NorthSite Contemporary Arts), Bonemap, and the New Move Network.

Russell has a passion for the unique social and educational value of the arts, and has contributed to many partnerships within the sector. He has worked on several projects in partnership with Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Cairns Festival, Indigenous Art Centre Alliance, Realtime Magazine, Ausdance, Cairns Regional Council, Museums and Galleries Services Queensland, Shine On Gimuy, and more. He is a highly sought after freelance designer for festivals, theatre, and gallery projects.

About the Soundscape

Each artwork is brought to life through Natalia Mann’s The Sonic Earth—a collective of musicians united by a shared practice of synaesthetic resonance composition. Working closely with local artists, the group includes Merindi Schrieber, William Mabo, Naomi Jean and Patty Preece to honour their deep connections to Country, culture and sound through collaborative creation.