Kwi'ith, Man and Woman Yam

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to their leaders, past and present. Visitors to this website should be aware that names may be mentioned, or images portrayed, of people who are now deceased. Any distress this may cause is sincerely regretted.

Thanakupi's Kwi'ith, Man and Woman Yam is a response to the theme of Indigenous art within the context of Reconciliation. This artwork explores the simple yet powerful themes pivotal to the notion of Reconciliation: communication, notions of sharing and a sense of harmony between all people. The long yam and the cheeky yam featured in the work represent man and woman.

The texture on the surface of the bronze works refers to the form and quality of the yams themselves, and provides a surface that encourages visitors to touch and engage with the sculptures.

The words on the plinth - evocative of the Reconciliation experience - refer to the traditional practice of story-telling by inscribing marks and images into the sand on the ground.

Thanakupi (Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher) was the first Indigenous artist in Australia to study ceramics at tertiary level and the first to establish a ceramics studio. Her work often relates to culturally significant organic forms and is held by the major public collections of Australia. An artist, teacher and Thanaquith Elder, Thanakupi is considered to be one of north Queensland's most significant contemporary artists.

Design

• Artist Thanakupi: (Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher)
• Assistant Sculptor: Jerko Starcevic

Click here to learn more about Reconciliation Place and its artworks.