‘On the Land depicts the daily and historical life of my people, Kurtijar, on the Gulf of Carpentaria. So little is known about Indigenous culture on the Gulf, and many people don’t even know where the Gulf is. By painting scenes of contemporary working life, leisure pursuits and important historical themes, I am creating an awareness of our people and their enduring presence and great achievements on their traditional land. These achievements include running and owning the Delta Downs cattle station, one of the largest and the only wholly Indigenous owned and managed cattle station in Australia.’ – Artist's statement.

Ian Waldron
Ian Waldron (Kurtijar people) lives and works in Yungaburra, Far North Queensland, was the winner of the 2010 Glover Prize and is a three-time finalist in the Wynne Prize. Waldron won the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (Open Painting) in 1995 and has been a finalist eight times. His works are held in numerous private and public collections nationally.