Wer Wer (Boundaries) | Gail Mabo

This body of work combines new prints by Gail Mabo which translate repurposed archival mark-making by her father, Eddie Koiki Mabo. Gail Mabo developed these works during an intensive printmaking residency in The Studio at Umbrella, collaboratively printing with technical assistance by Dian Darmansjah, an artist, master printmaker and the Printmaking Coordinator at NorthSite Contemporary Arts in Gimuy / Cairns. Mabo was introduced to carborundum collagraph and drypoint etching techniques, resulting in a highly textured, sophisticated new series which expands her practice into new territory.

Wer Wer pays honour to my father, Edward Koiki Mabo, for the right of showing boundary markers between families and understanding the rightful owners of land on Mer / Murray Island. These maps are my interpretation of my father’s hand drawn maps which haven’t been seen before except during his court case. My father’s maps are now part of the National Library collection in the Mabo Papers. Gail Mabo, 2025

Exhibitions launch 6pm Friday 1 August 2025. Speeches from approx. 6:30pm. Invite your friends on Facebook.

This project is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Townsville City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.