Jones Koo'a Muuranutha Holroyd

Background Info

Biography

Jones Holroyd was born in Cairns but grew up in Pormpuraaw. He is a Wik Iiyanh man. His father's side is Wik Iiyanh and his mother's side is Kugu.

Jones's totem is the Jabiru.

His mother and father moved to Pormpuraaw in the 60s from the north/south side of Candle River. They had three boys and four girls.

"I went to primary school in Pormpuraaw and then attended boarding school Atherton College.

I was one of the founding artists of the Pormpuraaw Art Centre and began making art in 2005."

I am well known for my ghost net Frilled-Neck Lizards, which is a Wik Iiyanh totem from my father's side.

The Frilled-Neck Lizard is the totem for important Ceremony. The songline is sacred and only for initiated men.

I love making ghost net sculptures and printmaking and have recently started painting.

I am also a dancer. I've been to Japan and performed at events like the Woodford Folk Festival. 

Both my parents have passed away. It is important that I am recording my clan’s stories for future generations. This is very important to me.”

Group Exhibitions

2018	CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Art Fair - Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal , Cairns QLD
2017	CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Art Fair - Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal , Cairns QLD
2016	CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Art Fair - Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal , Cairns QLD
2011	A New Beginning - Australian Art Network Galleries at Canopy Artspace, Cairns QLD

Collections

National Museum of Australia, Canberra ACT

Bibliography

2018	Pormpuraaw : stories, art, language. [Pormpuraaw Arts & Culture Centre Inc.] Pormpuraaw, Qld : Pormpuraaw Arts & Culture Centre Inc © 2018
2016	Pormpuraaw: Cultural Uses For Plants. [Pormpuraaw Arts & Culture Centre Inc.] Pormpuraaw, Qld : Pormpuraaw Arts & Culture Centre Inc © 2016

Themes

Ceremonial Body Paint

Frilled-Neck Lizard

Clan Totems

Fish and ocean animals

Mediums

Acrylic on Canvas

Print Making

Acrylic paint on plywood

Ghost net, Plastic Trellis and Twine