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Teho Ropeyarn inspired by his Injinoo roots
Who is your mob? My mob are the Angkamuthi and Yadhaykan Clan from northern Cape York. Where were you raised? I was raised in Injinoo and did my schooling in Bamaga. I finished Year 10, 11 and 12 and then entered the Nura Gili Indigenous program in UNSW in 2006. I lived in Sydney for 4 years, graduated from UNSW in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After that, I went back home to Injinoo and worked at the school in Bamaga. I now live in Cairns. I’ve been there for about 3 years now. I work at Yumi Arts and have been there for 2 1/2 years. I started there as an Indigenous Development Officer working with artists and exhibitions. I’m now the Gallery Curator. What’s your current art piece based on?
This piece is called Apudthama. My work is based on the four clans and they are represented through the four males bodies. The spirit stream is what connects the four clans from the top. The history behind that is back in the 1900s, these four clans moved to Injinoo. The four clans all settled together there. That’s the strong bond we have between the four clans What inspired you to do that? All my work is based on culture, Injinoo culture, and preserving that. So I’m doing everything, traditional stories and some designs from my mob and I think it’s about preserving culture. Through that I’m learning language and it’s good for me and my practice. What inspired you to enter the Telstra Indigenous Arts Awards? I did a piece last year and I got in as a shortlisted entry for the first time. I didn’t win. I was working
on this piece at home at the time the applications were sent out so I entered. The award got me by surprise but it’s greeat to be recognised at this level. I won the young artist development award through the Queensland Regional art awards. That was one of the big ones. There was another exhibition in Sydney that I was invited to enter. It’s been a good journey so far. I like doing big works so I think every year the dimensions of my work is bigger. I have alot of pieces that are for sale as limited editions. If anyone wants to see my work and to buy anything, they can visit my webiste www.tehoropeyarn.com. I’m privileged to be acknowledged as an artists and I would like to make special mention to my mentor Aunty Mary Eseli and Athe Meun Lifu.
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