Artist
Kelvin Lampton is a proud Birra-Gubba Juru man and has the totem of Gubulla mundu , who lives and works on Juru Country . Kelvin has been painting since he was young and his work shows both traditional and other influences . When Kelvin paints it makes him think about Country and how it is feeling . Painting takes him back to places and connects him with the old people ’ s dreaming . Kelvin said this artwork shows three of the culturally important species from the area , the Gunggu ( sea turtle ), Babirra ( echidna ), and Dhanguru ( possum ).
“ These are also important foods , and they are surrounded by the Gubulla mundu ( serpent / carpet snake ), along with the symbols of meeting places , and all the different patterns that intertwine and connect all things and Country ,” he said .
“ In this painting I use a lot of the traditional ochre colours which reflect the landscape and the dry tropics Country around the region . Country is everything connected together . Whatever we do in one part of Country will affect other areas . I am proud that NQ Dry Tropics has used my artwork in its Reconciliation Action Plan . We need to share and work all together to heal Country and look after it .”
4 NQ DRY TROPICS - Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan - 2023