Joel Sam is a contemporary Indigenous artist residing in Cairns. He is a direct descendant of the clans of Saibai Island where he spent his early years before moving to Bamaga to complete high school, the place he calls home. His work explores his personal engagement with Torres Strait Island culture and family stories through the processes of printmaking and sculpture.

The use of traditional clan Minarel (pattern) embedded within his images is characteristic of Joel’s work. Totemic designs include Umai (dog), Koedal (crocodile), Baydham (shark), Waru (turtle) and Samu (cassowary) connected through ancient familial bonds. Often interwoven, these designs allow Joel to express a more intricate visual language representative of the complexities of his Saibai Island heritage.

This artwork represent the occupation of this great Land by the First Nation People for over 65,000 years. Generations from different nations and culture have settled this beautiful vast land. The artwork shows, as the First Nation people are represented by the Torres Strait Island Dhari, the Australian Aboriginal Woomera which is a spear throwing device, the fish hook which represent Pacific Islanders, the Papua New Guinea spear, clan markings and rip curls are just the many different cultures that have entwined to create a multicultural society. The design portrays a mixture of different cultures, these images are presented in the artwork. As the waves breaks, the dawning of a new day, each and every day, we as First Nation People, stand proud as we have endured so much in our past history and as we move forward, acknowledge and embrace the true history of this country.