Tony Williams Gilbert tucker

This scene depicts an afternoon of fishing on the Gilbert River north of Normanton, Cape York on the Gulf of Carpentaria. The area from Karumba to the Mitchell River is the traditional country of the Kurtjar language group and I have had the privilege to have been invited there by my good friend Ian Waldron, a Kurtjar man himself.

A renowned artist, he acts as art advisor to the Indigenous community of Normanton and regularly visits and holds workshops. It has been my great pleasure to help with these activities. Going bush, drawing and painting in the landscape is always a popular excursion and during those times I also have the opportunity to sketch.

Fishing is part of everyday life, a social event, and this catch of turtle was shared – hence the title. Tucker from the Gilbert River.

Tony Williams, 2012