Appreciating Country with Agnes Kohler

We have successfully launched our first three collaborator collections, one of which is Agnes Kohler’s. The Mud Shells collection features Agnes Kohler’s interpretation of the Mud Shells she knows from her ancestral homeland in Dulkawalne on Bentinck Island. Mud Shells is just one of her beautiful paintings, most of which are inspired by the things she sees on Country. With this, let’s get to know more about Agnes Kohler.

Where Agnes Kohler is From

Agnes Kohler family we’re from Dulkawalne on Bentinck Island but was born on Mornington Island. Also known as Kunhanhaa, Mornington Island is the biggest of a group of 22 islands that form the Wellesley Islands group in the south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. On the islands, Gununa, which has a population of about 1,200, is the only permanent community. More than 8,000 years ago, the Lardil people, who are recognised as the Mornington Island's Traditional Owners, began to live there.

Agnes Kohler was born and lives on Gununa. She is a Kaidildt woman. Bentinck Island's Dukawalne is her ancestral Country. Agnes was born soon after her people crossed over to Mornington Island. In those days, the Lardil mob fostered or adopted them as their family. The Jacobs adopted Agnes and her sister Gay. In the 60s, they sent out to work on the mainland. As she raised her own family, she also adopted a few more children.

Agnes and Mornington Island Art

Image from Mornington Island Art

Agnes Kohler paints at the Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation, Mornington Island Art Centre, a long-standing art centre with origins in the early 1970s. The strong ties Mornington Island artists have to their home and culture have a significant impact on their work. The artists explore their culture, dance, and language via contemporary practise as they experiment with various media and techniques.

“My children told me to join the old people here at Mirndiyan Gununa, save me from worrying, take my mind off things. It's good to be alongside family members working, creating and learning together.” 

Agnes Kohler’s Art

Image from Mornington Island Art

Agnes Kohler “Kamarra” - 2017, Acrylic on canvas

The motifs of Agnes Kohler’s art mostly are about beautiful things she on Country. These include marine life, mud shells, coloured rocks, and saltpans, among others. She paints on various medium, but usually on linen. 

How to Support Agnes Kohler

There are different ways to support Agnes Kohler. The most direct way is by purchasing her work that can be found in her Mornington Island Art page. Here are some:

You can also reach out to commission her by contacting Mornington Island Art.

It is a pleasure to have partnered with Agnes Kohler in our first collection. To be able to showcase Aboriginal art in our garments is a big step towards our goal of sharing stories of Country to the next generation of little world shapers. 

You can Agnes Mud Shells artwork on our DulcieDot Mud Shells Collection here.