Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Artist / Arts Worker / Youth performing arts worker
Living on Minjerribah - North Stradbroke Island, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins belongs to the Delaney and Martin families whose traditional lands include Quandamooka Country. A proud Nunukul, Ngugi and Gorenpul woman, Delvene has a Bachelor of Arts and is currently studying Her PhD in Creative Arts through Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Studies.
After living in Adelaide for ten years gaining experience and qualifications in youth health, arts work & working on events like Blak Nite and at Kurruru Indigenous Youth Performing Arts, Delvene returned to Minjerribah in 2012 to be near family and raise her children on Country.
Her own arts practice include textiles which designs are inspired by her family history and the beauty of the natural environment of Minjerribah; jewellery making from clay & items gathered from Minjerribah Beaches; and small ceramic items.
Delvene currently works on local arts projects and festivals including NAIDOC, Island Vibe Festival and its Community and Cultural Program. Workshops in items found on Minjerribah beaches to be created into jewellery are facilitated on Minjerribah or other locations if requested.
A local youth arts group was established by Delvene in 2012. The group perform on Country including Island Vibe (2012-ongoing) as well as on the mainland at events such as Stylin' Up. The group is currently preparing for the Pacific Tides Festival in August. An important aspect of Delvene's work is collaboration "I acknowledge that to facilitate a project successfully for the benefit of our local young people, a team of dedicated and skilled people is required".
Recent Activity
- North Stradbroke Island Youth Coordinator for Pacific Tides Festival April-August 2015.
- Textile in the 'Connections To Minjerribah Waters' at the Redlands Art Gallery (which sold on the opening night) February-March 2015
- Participated in & co-facilitation of the Quandamooka Cultural Tracks Program October 2014
- Hosted the Quandamooka Gallery at Island Vibe October 2014.
- Coordinating the performance of young people in the Opening Ceremony. Island Vibe Festival 2012-2014
- Ceramic and seed jewellery in the Exhibition 'Offset' at Kuril Dhargun (State Library Of QLD. August-September 2014
- Market Stall of handmade jewellery at the Point Lookout Markets 2014-current
- Supplying Jewellery to designer Salma Bowie for her resort wear collection for Fiji Fashion Week May 2015; Redlands Art Gallery; Drift Handmade Store, Point Lookout; Nomads Palace, Eat Street Markets, & online sales.
To see Delvene's art & activities vist:
www.instagram.com/made_on_minjerribah