Yalanji Arts is located in the Mossman Gorge Aboriginal community
At the edge of the Daintree National Park, this Aboriginal Art centre represents the creative and cultural strength of the Kuku Yalanji people. As a 100% Aboriginal-owned art centre, it supports artists by providing space for cultural expression while fostering economic development and community well-being through the arts.
The Kuku Yalanji people have lived in the rainforest and coastal regions of Far North Queensland for tens of thousands of years. Their deep knowledge of the land, sea, and sky is reflected in oral histories passed down through generations. Stories of Kubirri, the Caretaker spirit, describe how this ancestral figure taught essential survival skills and continues to guide and protect the people and their environment. This profound connection to nature informs every artwork created at Yalanji Arts.
Artists at Yalanji Arts specialise in ceramics, screen-printed textiles, and fine art prints. Each piece reflects the surrounding rainforest and ocean landscapes, celebrating cultural narratives through form and design. Ceramics crafted in the on-site studio are shaped and fired using techniques developed through years of experimentation, creating distinctive textures and colours. Screen-printed textiles emerge from collaborative efforts where artists translate stories into fabric patterns, blending personal and cultural symbols. Locally designed fine art prints, produced in Sydney, expand Yalanji Arts’ reach while maintaining cultural integrity.
Yalanji Arts was established with a mission to create opportunities for artistic and cultural sustainability. It has since evolved into a respected centre for both traditional and contemporary Indigenous art. Beyond producing art, the centre supports education programs, artist development, and cultural tourism, playing an integral role in the broader Mossman Gorge community.
Mossman Gorge itself is a place of deep cultural importance. Its ancient rainforest, winding rivers, and secluded waterfalls are central to the cultural practices of the Kuku Yalanji people. The land is a living presence, rich with stories, ceremonial sites, and knowledge systems that continue to shape artistic expression and community identity.
As a signatory of the Indigenous Art Code and a member of Arts Law: Artists in the Black, Yalanji Arts upholds the highest ethical standards. Supported by the Queensland Government’s Backing Indigenous Arts initiative and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, the centre ensures fair representation and sustainable livelihoods for its artists.
Looking ahead, Yalanji Arts aims to strengthen its role as a creative and cultural anchor for the community. Through every ceramic piece, textile design, and fine art print, the stories of the Kuku Yalanji people endure, honouring their history while building a future rooted in cultural pride and creative excellence.