Fishing, Fraser Island

At my recent art exhibition at the Brisbane Institute of Art, I displayed a painting “Fishing Trip, Fraser Island.” A lady bought it as a present for her husband because he frequently goes fishing on the island. When he saw it, he recognised the tractor and the boat in the painting and he even knew the owners. He was so pleased that he rang me to say how happy he was with his present. I have frequently visited the island myself, and it spurred me to gather together some of my paintings of fishing on Fraser Island.

Fishing on Fraser Island

Each winter large schools of tailor move along the seaward coast of Fraser Island towards their breeding grounds. Fishing the “Tailor Run” from the Fraser Island beaches at dawn in winter, while standing in and being splashed by freezing water, is an experience in itself. I have included some paintings to illustrate the event. At the top spots the fisher people often stand nearly shoulder to shoulder along the beach. Getting hooked by someone’s careless cast is an ever-present danger! Tailor have sharp teeth, so once a fish is landed, it still has to be handled carefully!

Breakfast and a blazing fire

After a couple of hours fishing, it is time to go back to the camping ground at Waddy Point. Drying out after fishing, warming up around a campfire and eating a hearty breakfast is also a major part of the event. A blazing fire in central to most of the attached paintings.  After being chilled to the bone by the morning’s fishing, a warm fire is a necessity. Breakfast at Waddy Point is the natural title of these paintings.

This art is a real, lived experience and I have included a photo of yours truly in waterproofs, on Fraser Island, fishing the Tailor Run.

 

Best regards,

Christine.