About

Shaun Edwards is an Australian First Nations artist, cultural practitioner and designer of Kokoberrin and southern Italian ancestry, with family connections to Calabria, Italy. His artistic practice spans more than 35 years and encompasses visual arts, textiles, fashion, cultural design and community-based creative initiatives.

Edwards belongs to the Pa la Nganduw Kedew (Dingo Clan) of the Kokoberrin People, whose ancestral homelands are located around the Staaten River in western Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. His cultural name, Ma Wanjibung Pukun, reflects his ancestral connections and cultural identity and is from the Jimmy lineage totemic system.

Beginning his exhibiting career in the early 1990s, Edwards has developed a multidisciplinary practice incorporating painting, printmaking, textile design, contemporary fashion, public art and cultural storytelling. His work frequently examines relationships between Country, kinship, language, spirituality, identity and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations.

Exhibitions and Artistic Practice

Edwards has exhibited throughout Australia and internationally, including Germany and the United States. His exhibition history includes the Queensland Berlin Indigenous Art Exhibition (2001), Große Kunstausstellung at Museum Kunst Palast in Düsseldorf (2003), and exhibitions at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection and the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC (2004).

His work has also been presented through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Queensland Art Gallery, Cairns Regional Gallery, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative and other Australian arts organisations.

His solo exhibition history includes The Last of Then (2004), Kanbaw Nyek – Once Before, Once After (2005), Returning Home (2006), Kiyaru – Mouth of the Staaten River (2007), Ma Wanjibung Pukun – My Totem, My Country (2009), and Ngatherruw Kewvnthvkar – My Tomorrow (2010).

His artworks are represented in public and institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian National University, Griffith University and Cairns Regional Gallery.

Alongside his exhibition practice, Edwards has undertaken artistic commissions and design projects for government agencies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, cultural festivals and public health initiatives. These projects have incorporated visual communication, cultural representation and community engagement.

Cultural Identity and Creative Influences

Edwards' artistic practice draws upon Kokoberrin cultural knowledge, ancestral relationships, traditional artistic expression and contemporary experiences of First Nations life.

His work explores the relationship between cultural inheritance and contemporary artistic interpretation, incorporating references to ancestral stories, language, ceremonial traditions, Country and kinship.

His southern Italian ancestry also informs aspects of his creative practice. In particular, Edwards has explored the use of gold, symbolism, decorative forms and cultural philosophies associated with his Italian heritage.

Across these influences, his work reflects an ongoing interest in the ways cultural identity and artistic traditions are maintained, interpreted and expressed across generations.

Edwards has described this relationship in his own words:

"I create art just like my forefathers did and continue to keep it alive. My art forms an intricate genealogical lineage that connects to chants, dance, language, land, and philosophy. I also like to explore my Italian heritage, with the use of gold and its place in ancestral symbols, shapes and philosophy."

Wildbarra: Fashion, Art and Cultural Expression

In 2014, Edwards established Wild Barra Co., commonly known as Wildbarra, as an independent First Nations fashion and lifestyle label. The brand was introduced through Australian Indigenous Fashion Week, extending his established visual arts practice into clothing, swimwear and contemporary textile design.

During its early development, Adam Linforth of Australian swimwear company Budgy Smuggler joined Wild Barra Co. as a director, providing industry mentoring and guidance in fashion production, business development and brand establishment.

At a time when the Australian market for Indigenous-designed swimwear was relatively limited, Wildbarra developed an international audience through social media, online retail and community networks.

The label incorporates Edwards' original artwork and design concepts into wearable products, providing an additional medium through which his cultural narratives and contemporary artistic interests can be expressed.

Over time, Wildbarra has developed a following within Australian and international LGBTI communities, including Brotherboy and Sistergirl communities. Their engagement and support have contributed to the brand's visibility and development since its establishment.

For Edwards, Wildbarra also provides a space for creative experimentation and personal expression, bringing together his interests in cultural storytelling, contemporary fashion, identity and community participation.

Community Engagement and Creative Leadership

Beyond his visual arts and fashion practice, Edwards has participated in creative and cultural initiatives involving First Nations and LGBTI communities.

His work has extended into performance, music, fashion presentation and community events, including activities associated with Black Pride and the visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTI, Brotherboy and Sistergirl peoples.

These activities form part of a broader creative practice concerned with cultural representation, identity, inclusion and opportunities for community participation.

Edwards' contributions to the arts have been acknowledged through the 2021 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair People's Choice Award and nominations at the 2025 Brisbane Pride Awards, including Artist of the Year and First Nations Leadership.

Continuing Artistic Practice

More than three decades after beginning his exhibiting career, Edwards continues to work across visual arts, fashion, cultural design and community-based creative projects.

His practice brings together Kokoberrin cultural inheritance, southern Italian ancestry and contemporary experiences of identity, sexuality and community. Through gallery exhibitions, commissioned works and Wildbarra, he continues to explore different ways of presenting cultural knowledge and personal narratives to Australian and international audiences.

His career reflects the development of a multidisciplinary artistic practice in which cultural continuity, contemporary design and community relationships remain recurring themes.

Solo exhibitions

2010 · Ngatherruw Kewvnthvkar — My Tomorrow
Canopy Artspace, Cairns.

2009 · Ma Wanjibang Pukun — My Totem, My Country
Umi Arts Gallery, Cairns.

2007 · Kiyaru — Mouth of the Staaten River
Ochre Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne.

2006 · Returning Home
Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland.

2005 · Kanbaw Nyek — Once before, Once after
Ochre Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne.

2004 · The last of then
Charles Ginn Gallery, Paddington, Queensland.

Group exhibitions

2026 - Umi Arts Freshwater Saltwater Exhibition, Cairns, Queensland

2025 · Umi Arts 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Freshwater Saltwater
Mulgrave Gallery, Cairns.

2024 · Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Exhibition
Boomalli Art Gallery, Sydney.

2023- Sydney World Pride, Queering the Collection, Work on Paper, New South Wales Art Gallery.

2019 · Original Box
Boomalli Art Gallery, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Exhibition, Sydney.

2018 · Love Wins
Boomalli Art Gallery, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Exhibition, Sydney.

2017 · Good Looking
Boomalli Art Gallery, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Exhibition, Sydney.

2011 · Canopy Artspace Group Show — During CIAF
Cairns, Queensland.

2010 · Canopy Artspace Group Show — During CIAF
Cairns, Queensland.

2009 · Carriers of Culture
Hogarth Gallery, Paddington, Sydney.

2008 · More Than A Few Good Men
Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.

2006 · 23rd TELSTA National ATSI Art Awards
MAGNET, Darwin.

2006 · Gatherings 2 Book Launch/Exhibition
Queensland Art Gallery.

2005 · Reconciliation artworks
Multicultural Community Centre, Fortitude Valley, Queensland.

2004 · The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

2004 · Out of Country
Gallery 1601, The Embassy of Australia, Washington DC, USA.

2004 · Cultural Identity
Charles Ginn Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane, Queensland.

2004 · Sydney Oceanic Art Fair
Sydney, New South Wales.

2003 · Große Kunstausstellung
Museum Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf, Germany.

2003 · The 20th Anniversary of the Cairns TAFE Indigenous Art Centre
Tropical Far North Queensland Institute of TAFE.

2003 · Cairns Native Title Business
National Travelling Art Exhibition: Cairns Regional Gallery, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Toowoomba Regional Gallery, Noosa Regional Gallery, Moree Plains Gallery, Port Macquarie Hastings Regional Gallery and Boomalli Art Space, Sydney.

2002 · Ngerr Wu Kung — Old Days Story
Exhibition of Kokoberrin People, Cairns Hilton Hotel, Cairns.

2001 · The Queensland Berlin Indigenous Art Exhibition
Ludwig Erhard Haus, Berlin, Germany.

2001 · Native Title Business
National Travelling Art Exhibition: Queensland Museum, Harvey Bay Regional Gallery, Gladstone Regional Gallery, CQU Rockhampton and Duaringa Shire Gallery.

2001 · Blackwater Qantas Airways Garden Festival
Ma Rrembelling — Native Bee painting, Paris.

2001 · Postcard Exhibition
Cairns Regional Gallery.

2001 · Gatherings
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane.

2000 · James Cook University, School of Indigenous Australian Studies
Cairns.

2000 · Contemporary Aboriginal Art Auction
Phillips International SHAPIRO, Woollahra, Sydney.

2000 · Postcard Exhibition
Cairns Regional Gallery.

1999 · The Art + Life of the Kokoberrin
Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns.

1999 · Postcard Exhibition
Cairns Regional Gallery.

1998 · The Small Print + Book Exchange
Australia, New Zealand, New York.

1997 · Kulba a Kaaib
Hogarth Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney.

1997 · Made with Meaning
Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns.

1997 · Shadows in the Dust
Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns.

1995 · 10th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns.

1995 · Time Truth Taste + Trash, Murries + Their Mates
Tanks Art Space, Cairns.

1994 · 9th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Pacific International Hotel, Cairns.

1994 · Tiddas and Buddas
Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane.

1993 · 8th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.

1992 · The Qld Ministers Awards
Cairns State High School, Cairns.

1991 · The Qld Ministers Awards
Cairns State High School, Cairns.

Art institution collections

2012 · GOOGLE Art Project
Four works on paper, Online International Art Guide.

2010 · NSW Art Gallery
Four works on paper. Yiribana Collection, NSW Art Gallery

2010 · Cairns Regional Art Gallery
Two works on paper.

2002 · National Gallery of Australia
Lino print on paper, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

2002 · Griffith University Arts Collection
Painting on paper, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

2001 · Griffith University Artworks Scheme
Painting on paper, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

2000 · The Australian National University
Mono print on paper, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Commissions

2020 · G20 Art on the Wall visual light show
G20 World Conference, Brisbane.

2019 · Yarning hep B
Artwork for Living healthy, strong lives with hepatitis B, Far North Queensland, Queensland Health and Cairns Liver Clinic.

2018 · Pormpur Paathu Aboriginal Corporation
Company logo.

2017 · Cultural Practice Program
Artwork, Cape York Hospital and Health Service.

2017 · Cairns Indigenous Sexual Workers HIV Promotional Resources
Artwork, Queensland Health.

2008 · Bali Flags Artwork
First Nations Mardi Gras, Parade Entry.

2007 · Bali Flags Artwork
Indigenous Environment Foundation.

2007 · Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
Cover artwork for the annual report.

2003 · Queensland Health’s Policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
Artwork, Queensland Health, Brisbane.

2002 · Going to Hospital
Handbook design, Tropical Public Health Unit Network, Queensland Health, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

2002 · Apunipima Cape York Health Council
Artwork for the annual report, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

2002 · Apunipima Cape York Health Council
Artwork for the Sexual Health campaign.

2001 · National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy 2000–2010
Artwork, Department of Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

2000 · The Land Needs Its People
T-shirt design, Cape York Land Council.

2000 · Apunipima Cape York Health Council
Company logo.

2000 · 8th Annual Laura Aboriginal Dance + Cultural Festival
Listed in the artist CV.

2000 · Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation
Logo design.

2000 · Safe house project
Yargin Aboriginal Corporation, Normanton, Queensland, Australia.

2000 · Thawl Thudaarwarn Pikew Aboriginal Reserve Lands
T-shirt design, Normanton, Queensland, Australia.

1999 · Peyuw Kunpulunt — Saltwater crab with her eggs
T-shirt design, Axis Designs, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; KALOOLA, Australia.

Selected curatorial projects

2006 · Returning Home
Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland, September.

2005 · Kanbaw Nyek — Once before, Once after
Ochre Gallery, Melbourne, October.

2004 · The last of then
Charles Ginn Gallery, Paddington, Queensland, June.

2003 · Ngerr Wu Kung — Old Days Story
Exhibition of Kokoberrin People, Cairns Hilton Hotel, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

2000 · The Art and Life of the Kokoberrin
Cairns Regional Art Gallery.

1995 · Time Truth Taste + Trash, Murries + Their Mates
Tanks Art Space, Cairns.

1995 · 10th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

1994 · Tiddas and Budda
Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

1994 · 9th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Pacific International Hotel, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

1993 · 8th Annual ATSI Art Awards
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.

1992 · The Qld Ministers Awards
Cairns State High School, Cairns, Queensland.

1991 · The Qld Ministers Awards
Cairns State High School, Cairns, Queensland.

Awards

2021 · People's Choice Award
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Nominations

2025 · Excellence in Partnerships — Nominee
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Awards, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service.

2025 · Excellence in Leadership — Nominee
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Awards, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service.

2025 · Artist of the Year — Nominee
Brisbane Pride Awards.

2025 · DJ of the Year — Nominee
Brisbane Pride Awards.

2025 · Community Event of the Year, Black Pride — Nominee
Brisbane Pride Awards.

2025 · First Nations Leadership — Nominee
Brisbane Pride Awards.

2025 · Excellence in Patient Care — Nominee
Allied Health Awards, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service.