Valmai Pollard is a featured artist in Jabu Birriny (land + sea), an exhibition developed by State Library of Queensland (SLQ) in partnership with Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct and toured by Flying Arts Alliance from 2019 to 2021.
Valmai Pollard identifies as a Gunggandji woman and has grown up in Yarrabah. Valmai belongs to a large family of artists; her parents, Edna and Ruben Ambrym, are also members of Yarrabah Art Centre. Valmai joined them over four years ago in working at the Art Centre as a practicing artist. She is currently the youngest artist working at the Art Centre.
During the completion of high school Valmai undertook visual art classes, and has been involved in various workshops at Yarrabah Art Centre which have specialised in linocut, pottery, textiles and wood work. Through these activities and her family’s influence, she has developed a strong interest for experimentation within her practice.
Valmai’s favourite thing to do in Yarrabah is fishing or cracking oysters at the beach with her daughters. These experiences provide rich inspiration for her work, which often depicts Yarrabah’s diverse animal life.
Valmai’s art expresses her natural affinity for line, colour and pattern and she utilises her skills and distinct style to create richly storied representations of Yarrabah. Her work provides an important acknowledgement of the land and sea and its ongoing role in her culture and community.
See Valmai’s Interview with the State Library of Queensland
Flying Arts Alliance acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and seas on which we work, live and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.