A CEREMONIAL FIGURE
Artwork story

A detail view of a carved wooden figure.

The Fred Embrey Sculpture Research Project is a joint project between QAGOMA and the University of Queensland. Led by Michael Aird (Director, UQ Anthropology Museum) and Simon Elliott (Deputy Director, QAGOMA), the project sought to confirm who made the sculpture held by QAGOMA.

A genre of figurative carving without equal in south-east Queensland, Djan'djari figure c.1930s was produced by celebrated Kabi Kabi man Fred Embrey. Embrey’s sculpture is a rare object of national significance.

The information in this resource is drawn from the full research report, which will soon be available for download here on Collection Online.

QAGOMA gratefully acknowledges the Mather Foundation’s generous support of this project.

Feature image: Fred Embrey / Kabi Kabi people / Australia QLD c.1880–1939 / Djan’djari figure (detail) c.1930 / Purchased 2020 with funds from the Mather Foundation through the QAGOMA Foundation / Photograph: N Umek, QAGOMA

Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are cautioned that this resource contains images, transcripts and names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now deceased. It may also contain historically and culturally sensitive words, terms and descriptions. Images of Fred Embrey are used with the family’s permission.

An Australian Indigenous man stands with a sculpture, which depicts a small male figure, around 60cm tall; the photograph is taken in a room with white walls, possibly an art conservation space.

VIDEO: Fred Embrey’s legacy

A small wooden figure being set up in a studio by a photographer.

Experience the sculpture in 3D

A black-and-white photograph of an Australian Indigenous man wearing a boomerang-shaped 'king plate' around his neck, along with a t-shirt and vest

Fred Embrey: Songman, sculptor, leader

A black-and-white photograph of Australian Indigenous men wearing ceremonial dress for a funeral

Cherbourg Aboriginal Settlement

A photograph of the heads of two carved, figurative wooden sculptures

Fred Embrey’s sculptures

Related resources

The Fred Embrey Sculpture Research Project is a joint research project between the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and the University of Queensland. The project team thanks Fred Embrey’s family for their invaluable contributions.

REPORT | Lindy Allen, Michael Aird and Paul Memmott

RESEARCHERS | Michael Aird, Lindy Allen, Diana Romano, Paul Memmott and Jessica Kane

PROJECT LEADERS | Michael Aird, UQ, and Simon Elliott, QAGOMA

SPONSORS | QAGOMA gratefully acknowledges the Mather Foundation’s generous support of this project.

ETHICS COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT HE001275: The University of Queensland Human Ethics Committee B confirmed on 15/08/2022 that this project meets the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

PLEASE NOTE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are respectfully advised that this publication refers to and depicts people who have passed away, and includes historically and culturally sensitive words, terms and descriptions. Images of Fred Embrey throughout this project are used with the family’s permission.

DIGITAL STORY TEAM

This Collection Online Digital Story (2024) is based on the report prepared by Lindy Allen, Michael Aird and Paul Memmott, as well as interviews with Fred Embrey’s descendants and interviews with QAGOMA staff members.

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A CEREMONIAL FIGURE Artwork story