James Cook University Library is very pleased to announce that this year it is hosting an Artist Residency Program focusing on the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library and the surrounding grounds of the Townsville Campus. Townsville based artist Rob Douma, selected via an EOI process, will be working in and around the Mabo Library to produce artworks for our 2020 Mabo Library Art Exhibition (21 May – 19 June 2020).
Rob was born and raised in Tasmania and has always had a love of drawing, and books. He has tertiary qualifications in Visual Arts, runs his own tattoo business, is part of the Townsville Urban Sketchers group and regularly works on commissioned artworks. He has been a finalist in numerous drawing and portrait awards and was the inaugural winner of the 2018 Napier Waller Prize held by the Australian War Memorial.
In response to how his work will relate to the Artists’ Brief, Rob wrote:
“It is vital to recognise the importance of the aptly named Eddie Koiki Mabo Library as a centre for knowledge, the impact the library has had on the region as a whole and the legacy it leaves as the most significant cultural institution on Townsville’s academic landscape.
The body of work that I will create aims to further explore the distinct architectural aesthetics, the relationship with those that utilise the space, capturing the sense of place and to illustrate the legacy of the library.
Working from life is essential for honesty and inclusion; participation and engagement with library patrons will be an integral part of the process. I look forward to interacting with the students and staff to create works that are authentic and truly representative, contributing to the ongoing development of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library; illustrating the legacy of the library as a space of interaction, repository of learning, collaboration and inspiration.”
Gail Mabo our exhibition patron said: “I look forward to allowing Rob to lead the way for a new focus for the Mabo Library Art Exhibition and to provide a path for other local artists in years to come.”
We welcome Rob Douma as the inaugural Drawn to the Mabo Library Artist-in-Residence and look forward to seeing the works produced over the coming months.
Learn more about the Residency here.
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| (L-R) Helen Hooper - Director Library & Information Services, Rob Douma, Gail Mabo. |
Rob was born and raised in Tasmania and has always had a love of drawing, and books. He has tertiary qualifications in Visual Arts, runs his own tattoo business, is part of the Townsville Urban Sketchers group and regularly works on commissioned artworks. He has been a finalist in numerous drawing and portrait awards and was the inaugural winner of the 2018 Napier Waller Prize held by the Australian War Memorial.
In response to how his work will relate to the Artists’ Brief, Rob wrote:
“It is vital to recognise the importance of the aptly named Eddie Koiki Mabo Library as a centre for knowledge, the impact the library has had on the region as a whole and the legacy it leaves as the most significant cultural institution on Townsville’s academic landscape.
The body of work that I will create aims to further explore the distinct architectural aesthetics, the relationship with those that utilise the space, capturing the sense of place and to illustrate the legacy of the library.
Working from life is essential for honesty and inclusion; participation and engagement with library patrons will be an integral part of the process. I look forward to interacting with the students and staff to create works that are authentic and truly representative, contributing to the ongoing development of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library; illustrating the legacy of the library as a space of interaction, repository of learning, collaboration and inspiration.”
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| Eddie Koiki Mabo Library (Dawn February 2020). Photograph by Rob Parsons / Through The Looking Glass Studio. ©JCU |
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