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‘Gone Fishing’
May 2023 - Jan 2024

Feature image: John Citizen’s Portrait of Eddie Mabo (After Mike Kelley's "Booth's Puddle" 1985, from Plato's Cave, Rothko's Chapel, Lincoln's Profile) No2 1996, installed for ‘Gone Fishing’, GOMA, November 2023 / © The Estate of Gordon Bennett / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA

‘Gone Fishing’ presents Indigenous Australian artists’ works from the QAGOMA Collection that affirm the cultural, social and recreational activity of fishing.

Many works included in ‘Gone Fishing’ speak to each artist’s community’s position on the ongoing environmental destruction and pollution that threaten all aspects of our lives.

Explore the full ‘Gone Fishing’ exhibition story.

 

‘Gone Fishing’ was a free exhibition of works from the QAGOMA Collection, held in GOMA's Gallery 3.5 from 20 May 2023 to 21 January 2024. 

 
Feature image: John Citizen’s Portrait of Eddie Mabo (After Mike Kelley's "Booth's Puddle" 1985, from Plato's Cave, Rothko's Chapel, Lincoln's Profile) No2 1996, installed for ‘Gone Fishing’, GOMA, November 2023 / © The Estate of Gordon Bennett / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA

GONE FISHING

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A painting made in natural pigments depicting abstract waterways.
GONE FISHING

Gone Fishing

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An installation view that appears as a large midden of white shells piled in front of a white gallery wall, in a corner.
GONE FISHING

SEA RIGHTS: Politics, lore and custom

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Collection artworks featured in ‘Gone Fishing’

Artwork Yalangbara this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1955-01-01

Yalangbara c.1960
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #11 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #11 2011
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #16 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #16 2011
Artwork Green maireener necklace this artwork made of Green maireener shells threaded with double strength quilting thread, created in 2007-01-01

Green maireener necklace 2007
Artwork Mabo Case 2 this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01

Mabo Case 2 2018
Artwork bloom this artwork made of Pigment, pastel and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2009-01-01

bloom 2009
Artwork Low water hunting ground this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2005-01-01

Low water hunting ground 2005
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Fish trap 2004
Artwork An-gujechiya (conical fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2001-01-01

An-gujechiya (conical fish trap) 2001
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Walipun (Fish net) this artwork made of Looped merrepen (Sand palm) fibre, natural dyes with bamboo, created in 2008-01-01

Walipun (Fish net) 2008
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Fish trap 2004
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Fish trap 2004
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Dhangal um ariak this artwork made of Screenprint, hand-coloured on paper, created in 2000-01-01

Dhangal um ariak 2000
Artwork Once were Fishermen II this artwork made of Wire mesh, bicycle tyre frames, PVC piping, cable ties, netting, food packaging, created in 2014-01-01

Once were Fishermen II 2014
Artwork All kind fish 2/8 this artwork made of Monoprint on Hahnemüle paper, created in 2022-01-01

All kind fish 2/8 2022
Artwork Whaleboat this artwork made of Painted timber, twine, cloth, metal hooks, nylon line, beads, created in 2014-01-01

Whaleboat 2014
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) and synthetic twine with natural dyes, created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Syaw (Fish net) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2004-01-01

Syaw (Fish net) 2004
Artwork Deranji Dabayil (Rocky place, healing waters): Baskets of Culture this artwork made of Commercial raffia, ghost net strands and fishing line, created in 2017-01-01

Deranji Dabayil (Rocky place, healing waters): Baskets of Culture 2017
Artwork Djirrit this artwork made of Etched aluminium on composite board , created in 2021-01-01

Djirrit 2021
Artwork Fantastic 3 "Where the party at...?" Harry. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2020-01-01

Fantastic 3 "Where the party at...?" Harry. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) 2020
Artwork Ngak-pungarichan (Clearwater) this artwork made of Natural pigments and charcoal with acrylic binder on linen primed in synthetic polymer paint, created in 2013-01-01

Ngak-pungarichan (Clearwater) 2013
Artwork Fisherman’s still life with Air Jordan 4’s this artwork made of Linocut on Arches BFK 300gsm cotton rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Fisherman’s still life with Air Jordan 4’s 2020
Artwork Portrait of Eddie Mabo (After Mike Kelley's "Booth's Puddle" 1985, from Plato's Cave, Rothko's Chapel, Lincoln's Profile) No2 this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1996-01-01

Portrait of Eddie Mabo (After Mike Kelley's "Booth's Puddle" 1985, from Plato's Cave, Rothko's Chapel, Lincoln's Profile) No2 1996
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #3 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #3 2011
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #10 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #10 2011
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #15 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #15 2011
Artwork Traditional Palawa shell necklace this artwork made of Large golden star and blue maireener shells collected from Flinders Island, threaded with synthetic thread, created in 2007-01-01

Traditional Palawa shell necklace 2007
Artwork Tagai this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01

Tagai 2018
Artwork Zenadth Kes this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01

Zenadth Kes 2018
Artwork Wollobi (Standing fish net) this artwork made of Knotted sand palm (Livistona inermis) leaf string with wooden struts, created in 2007-01-01

Wollobi (Standing fish net) 2007
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Fish trap 2004
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2003-01-01

Fish trap 2003
Artwork Eel trap this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge grass, river rushes, created in 2007-01-01

Eel trap 2007
Artwork Yabbie trap this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge grass, river rushes, created in 2008-01-01

Yabbie trap 2008
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Mandjabu (conical fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2001-01-01

Mandjabu (conical fish trap) 2001
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2007-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2007
Artwork Fish trap this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Fish trap 2004
Artwork Baited this artwork made of Fan covers, enamel paint, electrical wire and Sunlight soap, created in 2010-01-01

Baited 2010
Artwork All kind fish 8/8 this artwork made of Monoprint on Hahnemüle paper, created in 2022-01-01

All kind fish 8/8 2022
Artwork Textile length: Pearl lugger and diver's helmet this artwork made of White commercial cotton fabric, block printed in dark blue and dark green, created in 2000-01-01

Textile length: Pearl lugger and diver's helmet 2000, printed 2002
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) and synthetic twine with natural dyes, created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Building humpies and finding food along the river at night this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1997-01-01

Building humpies and finding food along the river at night 1997
Artwork Wayanaka (Oysters and oyster beds) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2001-01-01

Wayanaka (Oysters and oyster beds) 2001
Artwork Macassan sail this artwork made of Stitched boat canopy and work shirt, wooden turtle-hunting harpoons , created in 2020-01-01

Macassan sail 2020
Artwork OMG! "OMG you-fella! This is actually heavier than it looks!" Alaina. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2019-01-01

OMG! "OMG you-fella! This is actually heavier than it looks!" Alaina. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) 2019
Artwork When the Tide Goes Out this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2018-01-01

When the Tide Goes Out 2018
Artwork Cooking dugong this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas board, created in 1976-01-01

Cooking dugong 1976
Artwork RE FORMATION this artwork made of Cast-concrete oyster shells, copper slag, created in 2016-01-01

RE FORMATION 2016-19
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #1 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #1 2011
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #9 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #9 2011
Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #13 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01

The Oyster Fishermen #13 2011
Artwork Traditional Palawa shell necklace this artwork made of Large golden star shells collected from Flinders Island, threaded with synthetic thread, created in 2006-01-01

Traditional Palawa shell necklace 2006
Artwork Mabo Case 1 this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01

Mabo Case 1 2018
Artwork Wadth, Zigin ar Kusikus this artwork made of Linocut on paper, created in 2005-01-01

Wadth, Zigin ar Kusikus 2005
Artwork Two yabbie spirits and waterholes this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1994-01-01

Two yabbie spirits and waterholes 1994
Artwork Mawunjuru - Big Mullet this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2005-01-01

Mawunjuru - Big Mullet 2005
Artwork Ningher (reed canoe) this artwork made of Reeds (Phragmites australis) and hand-rolled string made from seagrass cord and jute twine; wood, created in 2020-01-01

Ningher (reed canoe) 2020
Artwork Jina-bakara (fish trap) this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf, bark fibre string, wood, created in 2005-01-01

Jina-bakara (fish trap) 2005
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined sedge grass (Cyperus sp.) with wood and bark fibre string, created in 2007-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2007
Artwork Eel trap this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge grass, river rushes, created in 2007-01-01

Eel trap 2007
Artwork Pearling days this artwork made of Colour linocut on paper, created in 2002-01-01

Pearling days 2002
Artwork Jina-bakara (fish trap) this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis), natural dyes and bark fibre string, created in 2004-01-01

Jina-bakara (fish trap) 2004
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork Wungarr (eel trap) this artwork made of Twined lawyer vine, created in 2005-01-01

Wungarr (eel trap) 2005
Artwork Once were Fishermen I this artwork made of Barbed wire, wire mesh, enamel paint, food packaging and household debris, created in 2014-01-01

Once were Fishermen I 2014
Artwork An-gujechiya (Fish trap) this artwork made of Twined jungle vine (Malaisia scandens), created in 2006-01-01

An-gujechiya (Fish trap) 2006
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Milay Galka-Djada: Bone barbed spear and spear thrower 2022
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Milay Galka-Djada: Blade spear and spear thrower 2022
Artwork Weris (Fish scoop) this artwork made of Bamboo and cotton cord, created in 2004-01-01

Weris (Fish scoop) 2004
Artwork Sea of Plenty this artwork made of Commercial cotton fabric, block printed, created in 2010-01-01

Sea of Plenty 2010
Artwork Warrgarri (String weave) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2003-01-01

Warrgarri (String weave) 2003
Artwork Driving the fish this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1945-01-01

Driving the fish c.1950
Artwork They will see you "They don't know I'm here. I come here all the time, it's the best spot on the river but you have to be really quiet otherwise they will see you." Katherine. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2019-01-01

They will see you "They don't know I'm here. I come here all the time, it's the best spot on the river but you have to be really quiet otherwise they will see you." Katherine. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) 2019
Artwork River Mermaid "I'm here with my Mum, she over there fishing. I don't feel like fishing. I just wanted to come down the river to play fun." Verona. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2020-01-01

River Mermaid "I'm here with my Mum, she over there fishing. I don't feel like fishing. I just wanted to come down the river to play fun." Verona. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) 2020
Artwork Wutan this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2011-01-01

Wutan 2011
Artwork Spearing dugong this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1971-01-01

Spearing dugong 1971

Related digital stories

A colourful abstract artwork by First Nations artist Naomi Hobson, painted using traditional techniques.

GONE FISHING

2023–24