Our achievements in curating touring exhibitions have been considerable.

The major scale of two national exhibitions, Escape Artists: Modernists in the Tropics and Ilan Pasin (This is our Way): Torres Strait Art brought national and international recognition. These early exhibitions have been followed by:

• The Artists Studio: Etchings by Ron McBurnie and collaborating artists toured nationally from 2003 to 2005.
• Encounters with Country: Landscapes of Ray Crooke toured nationally throughout 2006.
• Home Island, Home Country which toured nationally throughout 2006 & 2007.
• Linked Landscapes: a selection of works by Anneke Silver, one of Queensland’s most highly regarded artists

Cairns Regional Gallery currently has one exhibition on national tour:

MALU MINAR: ART OF THE TORRES STRAIT

Cairns Regional Gallery proudly presents the first international travelling exhibition, Malu Minar: Art of the Torres Strait on display at the ADCK Tjibaou Cultural Centre, New Caledonia. .

Malu Minar: Art of the Torres Strait celebrates the energetic work of Torres Strait artists in bringing their cultural pride to the world.

Each of the artists in Malu Minar have drawn on personal and collective knowledge, the instructions, guidance and lessons taught, instilling in them the strength and importance of their culture. Island life is ‘laid back’, commonly referred to as ‘TI time.’ This slow-pace lifestyle has given locals time to develop an appreciation of the environment, time to respect the land and sea and those that came before and time to recognise the natural gifts of the earth.

The connection to the land and sea is paramount. Although today there is no limit to the range of materials available there is still a preference in keeping with the traditional application processes.

Malu Minar will remain on display at the ADCK Tjibaou Cultural Centre until 12 February 2011.

The exhibition will be on display at Cairns Regional Gallery from 25 March until 22 May 2011.