- Artist: Sid Bruce Short Joe
- Art Centre: Pormpuraaw Art Centre
- Region: Far North Queensland
Artwork Story
Pormpuraaw artist Sid Bruce sits next to his ghost net to his Ghost Net sculpture that tells the story of the rainbow serpent and sorcery. Sid’s printing, paintings and ghost net work celebrates his culture and wisdom. His art forms a bridge to the outside world.
Sid was born in the Aurum mission 1964. His saltwater name and totem is bull shark and freshwater name is blue tongue lizard. He is a “Wik liyanh” His traditional country is North East and inland of Pormpuraaw. His people are freshwater people. This section of Cape York has the most indigenous languages spoken. It is not uncommon for locals to speak 4 to 7 languages. Sid speaks 9 languages plus English. He grew up in Pormpuraaw and learned Thayorre the indigenous language of Pormpuraaw. When a teenager he lived among his great grandmother’s “Kugu” people and learned those languages. He shares this knowledge with his nephews and family. He is the respected president of our management committee. He volunteers his time assisting the magistrate working as interpreter and mediator. He is welcome at the all the campfires of many different tribes because he understands all the languages and respects their laws. © Pormpuraaw Arts