Stories of this Land is the first major retrospective celebrating the work and life of Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey (1920–1985). The exhibition brings together seventy works including barks, paintings, ceremonial and historical objects, draft illustrations from his children’s book and three story book films. Roughsey was a figurehead and pioneer of Indigenous art and culture, throughout his career he explored traditional practices, stories and ceremonies, social effects caused by missionary activity, everyday life on Mornington Island, and his journey through Cape York.

Image credits:

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey / Lardil people, Australia 1924-1985 / The next resting place was at Fairview where he decided to make another lily lagoon called Minalinka… 1974 / Synthetic polymer paint on paper / 25.4 x 48cm / Collection: Fryer Library, The University of Queensland Library / © Dick Goobalathaldin Roughsey/Licensed by Copyright Agency

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey / Lardil people, Australia 1924-1985 / The Wangu brothers ran down off the mountain and Goorialla snored on until a cold wind… 1974 / Synthetic polymer paint on paper / 25.4 x 48cm / Collection: Fryer Library, The University of Queensland Library / © Dick Goobalathaldin Roughsey/Licensed by Copyright Agency

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey / Lardil people,Australia 1924-1985 / Goobalathaldin’s Birth Day 1984 / Synthetic polymer paint on Masonite panel / Private collection, Gold Coast / © Goobalathaldin Dick

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey / Lardil people, Australia 1924-1985 / Strange procession passing by (from ‘Jackey Jackey and Kennedy’ series) 1983 / Oil on board / Gift of Barbara Blackman through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 1998 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. / © Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey. Licenced by Copyright Agency 2019

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey/ Lardil people, Australia 1924-1985 / Tribe on the move in the past, Cape York 1983 / Oil on board / 30 x 40cm / Gift of Simon, Maggie and Pearl Wright through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2015. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. / © Dick Goobalathaldin Roughsey/Licensed by Copyright Agency