Artist Showcase | Obery Sambo
Clan group: Meuram
Language group: Meriam Mir
Obery Sambo is from Mer (Murray Island), home to the Meriam people of the Eastern Torres Strait. Obery also has cultural and ancestral links to the neighbouring island of Dauar and Parem (Western Province of Papua New Guinea). He is both a performance and visual artist. He manages the dance group, Obery Productions, which comprises himself, his four sons, his three nephews and a niece. The group performs traditional Murray Island dances with an educational focus that encourages the maintenance and awareness of cultural identity, particularly amongst younger people. Whereas the artist’s artistic expression through dance is traditional, his work in visual media shows a contemporary interpretation based on tradition. The artist’s work has been acquired by several major institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, and the Cairns Regional Gallery.
Group Exhibition | Highlighted Works
Gamu Zamiyakal - Masks, Headdresses and Dance Machines
22 Apr – 18 Jun 2023
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Obery Sambo Waiat Le Op Dari, 2011, feathers, cane, twine, gold lipped saltwater pearl shell, synthetic polymer paint, timber, coconut fibre, dyed beeswax, cowrie shell, Purchased by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2012
FACELESS: Transforming Identity
25 Jun – 20 Oct 2022
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Obery Sambo, Meriam Mer, Ib lamar (Jawbone spirit/manifestation) 2021, coconut husk fibre, paint, glue, Courtesy of the artist
Obery Sambo, Arsir Kirim le (Medicine Man/ Headman) 2021, rafia, wicker cane, paint, twine, Courtesy of the artist
Obery Sambo, Arsir le Kesi #1 (Medicine Man/Trainee) 2021, rafia, wicker cane, paint, twine, Courtesy of the artist
Obery Sambo, Arsir le Kesi #2 (Medicine Man/Trainee) 2021, rafia, wicker cane, paint, twine, Courtesy of the artist
Obery Sambo, Sau lamar (Rainforest spirit/manifestation) 2021, artificial plastic leaves, glue, coconut fibre, artificial hair, Courtesy of the artist
Collection Works
Obery Sambo Meriam Le Op Dari, 2011, feathers, queensland bean seed, cane, gold lipped saltwater pearl shell, freshwater pearl shell, dyed beeswax, coloured twine. Purchased by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2012
Obery Sambo, Nam a Beizam Le Op Nog (Lamar [spirit] taking form of a turtle and a shark) 2010, fibreglass, cassowary feather, cowrie shells, raffia and lawyer cane. Commissioned by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2010
Obery Sambo, Obery Sambo Maier Le Op Nog 2011, fibreglass, shell, beeswax, native grasses, cotton twine & cassowary feathers, onated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Michael Kershaw, 2012
Obery Sambo, Emeret Mer, new Mer (Old Mer, New Mer) Dari 2010 2010, coconut fibre, aerial tree roots, wood, pearl shell, shells, feathers, cane, wire, twine, beeswax, Gift of Rosemary and the late Jon Goodsall, 2019
Obery Sambo Waiat Le Op Dar, 2011, feathers, cane, twine, gold lipped saltwater pearl shell, synthetic polymer paint, timber, coconut fibre, dyed beeswax, cowrie shell, Purchased by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2012
