Artist Showcase | Joel Sam
Clan groups: Umai/Suy Baydham
Language group: Kala Kawaw Ya
Joel Sam was born in 1977 on Thursday Island, Torres Strait, Queensland. His family lives in Bamaga, Queensland, and is originally from Saibai Island. He lives and works in Cairns, Queensland.
Joel creates intricate carvings and sculptures made from shell and marble. He is also a printmaker, using etching and linocut to create works that are inspired by his Torres Strait Islander culture and way of life. Joel’s designs are largely based on totemic and clan markings, and often include plants and animals, creatures from the sea, and astral constellations.
Joel’s work has been represented in numerous exhibitions, including the annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair since 2016, and the Cairns Art Gallery’s North by East West exhibition in 2018.
Group Exhibitions | Highlighted Works
RITUAL: the past in the present
15 May – 22 Aug 2021
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Joel Sam, Malu Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, Courtesy of the artist
Joel Sam, Umau Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, Courtesy of the artist
Joel Sam, Aybodh Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, Courtesy of the artist.
Joel Sam, Darbaw Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, Courtesy of the artist
North by East West: Re–igniting a cultural connection through pearl shell
6 Jul – 19 Aug 2018
View exhibition
Joel Sam, Dhangalau Gi, 2018, natural twine, mother of pearl, spray paint, twine, mother of pearl, raffia, dye, shell, cassowary feathers, emu feathers, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi, 2018, carved shell and shell, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu, feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi, 2018, carved shell and shell, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu, feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibidibi, 2018, twine, mother of pearl, raffia, emu feathers, dye, shells, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi , 2018, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Collection Works
Joel Sam, Marrkai Gub (Cyclone Yasi), 2011, linocut, linocut, Purchased by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2011
Joel Sam, Dhangalau Gi, 2018, natural twine, mother of pearl, spray paint twine, mother of pearl, raffia, dye, shell, cassowary feathers, emu feathers, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi, 2018, carved shell and shell, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu, feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibidibi, 2018, twine, mother of pearl, raffia, emu feathers, dye, shells, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi , 2018, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Dibi dibi, 2018, carved shell and shell, mother of pearl, raffia, cassowary feathers, emu, feathers, shells, dye, twine, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery, 2018
Joel Sam, Umau Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, artificial feather, emu feather, cassowary feather, boar tusk, foam, acrylic paint, glass, cowrie shell, dowel, seashell, twine, cane, dugong bone, Matchbox Bean nuts seed pods, shell, mother of pearl and raffia, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery 2021, Commissioned by Cairns Art Gallery
Joel Sam, Aybodh Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, artificial feather, emu feather, banana leaf, foam, acrylic paint, glass, dowel, seashell, twine, cane, Matchbox Bean nuts seed pods, vinyl, mother of pearl and raffia, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery 2021, Commissioned by Cairns Art Gallery
Joel Sam, Darbaw Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, artificial feather, emu feather, cassowary feather, foam, acrylic paint, glass, dowel, seashell, twine, cane, dugong bone, Matchbox Bean nuts seed pods, mother of pearl and raffia, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery 2021, Commissioned by Cairns Art Gallery
Joel Sam, Malu Dhoeri Mawa from the Kulba Igilinga (Old Culture) series, 2020, artificial feather, emu feather, cassowary feather, starfish thorne, foam, acrylic paint, glass, cowrie shell, dowel, seashell, twine, cane, dugong bone, Matchbox Bean nuts seed pods, mother of pearl and raffia, Purchased Cairns Art Gallery 2021, Commissioned by Cairns Art Gallery
