Dorothy Edwards

Dorothy Edwards is a senior Kokoberrin elder, based in Gimuy Cairns, from Western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. Her homelands on her mother’s and grandmother’s side are known as Pinnarinch and stretch between Staaten River National Park in the south and north to Nassau River, including Wyabba Creek and Dorunda Lodge area.

Dorothy studied a certificate IV in ATSI Visual Art, at (Gimuy) Tafe in 2015. It was at this time that she developed a passion for acrylic painting, and a unique style which has evolved over the past eight years. Over this time, she has consistently created new artworks, which have been exhibited locally and nationally at Indigenous art fairs.

Her artworks are a fusion of the knowledge acquired from her mum and elders, while spending time on her traditional homelands, and the time she spent growing up in Gimuy.

Whether making pandanus armbands, cocky apple flower garlands, preparing pipi shell or ashes damper on the hot coals with her mother and siblings, this cultural knowledge always shines through in Dorothy’s captivating artworks.

In 2012 Dorothy was awarded 2^nd place for her artwork titled, Waterloo for the Laura Art Award. Her first solo at UMI Arts Gallery was held in 2021. She continues to create beautiful artworks which are sort after by local and national art collectors.

Dorothy says, “Now that I am a senior elder, it is important for me to share my cultural knowledge with my children and grandchildren. I love painting because my artwork captures my stories and records them for our future generations.

Even though I have spent recent years in Gimuy, the time that I have spent on country and the cultural experiences and stories that were handed down to me when I was younger, will continue to carry me through my life.

I’m proud of my children and grandchildren, for following in the footsteps of our Kokoberrin forefathers and for being strong leaders and learning about our Kokoberrin culture and carrying it into the future.

In 2024 I will be experimenting with a new colour pallet and creating larger paintings to be exhibited at First Nations art fairs throughout Australia”.

2023 Cape York Art, AIATSIS, Indigenous Art Market, Online
UMI Arts, Curated Exhibition, The Summer Show, Cairns Q
UMI Arts, Curated Exhibition, National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney

2022 Cape York Art, AIATSIS, Indigenous Art Market, Online
Cape York Art, Market at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
UMI Arts, Curated Exhibition, National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney
You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Freshwater Saltwater, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q

2021 Cape York Art, AIATSIS, Indigenous Art Market, Online
Summer Show exhibition, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Homelands, Dorothy Edwards Solo exhibition, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Freshwater Saltwater, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q

2020 You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q

2019 Freshwater Saltwater, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Women’s, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Cape York Art, Market at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Q

2018 Cape York Art, Market at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Q
You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Freshwater Saltwater, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Darwin Art Fair, UMI Arts Gallery NT
Connect Tradeshow Sydney NSW
Meeanjin Markets Brisbane Q

2017 Cape York Art, Curated exhibition at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Freshwater Saltwater, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Darwin Art Fair, UMI Arts Gallery NT
Pullman Exhibition, Cairns International Q

2016 Cape York Art, Curated exhibition at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
You and Me, Curated exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Freshwater Saltwater, Curated Touring exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns Q
Darwin Art Fair, UMI Arts Gallery NT
Pullman Exhibition, Cairns International Q

2015 Curated exhibition, You & Me, Members Exhibition, UMI Arts, Cairns, Q
Cape York Art, Curated exhibition July at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Pullman Exhibition, Cairns International Q
Laura Festival, Cape York Art Award Q