Alkirah Bell – Kabi Kabi Artist

Noosa Libraries recently released an Expression of Interest seeking an image (new or existing) created by a Kabi Kabi First Nations’ artist to be used in the collateral materials that will be created as part of the 50th birthday celebrations. The artwork has been reproduced on new library membership cards and library bags and other print and digital collateral to celebrate the library service’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The artwork theme of community, connection, learning or storytelling was chosen as these have strong First Nation’s links that are central to libraries as well. Showcasing a Kabi Kabi image on the Library Service’s 50th birthday memorabilia provides an opportunity for the Library Service to show our respect to the traditional custodians of the land. It acknowledges the important connection of our traditional custodians to country and raises awareness that the Noosa Library Service branches are located on Kabi Kabi traditional lands. We were fortunate to receive a strong response to this EOI opportunity.

Al Kirah Bell 2023 Small For Website

The Artwork
‘Connections through Water’
by Alkirah Bell

The name of the Painting is ‘Connections through Water’. Alkirah created this painting especially for this project.

“Water has connections. It’s connected to everything, from the ocean, to our bodies with over 60% of water. The waterholes represent everything and everyone connected. I think water connects us all together, whatever water we drink has already been drunk by someone or something else. My painting represents this through the ocean. The ocean is never the same, it’s always changing, just like us. The dots in the middle represent us together as a community, working together” – Alkirah Bell.

About the Artist

The successful artist is Alkirah Bell. Alkirah is 13 years old and was born on Country.
She is a proud Kabi Kabi and Wakka Wakka girl, through her grandmother Joy Pitt-Lythgoe and maternal great-grandmother Helen Pitt (nee Crowe). Her great-great-great grandparents are Willie Crowe and Emma Dunne, who are featured in the Noosa Council documentary ‘Place of Crows’. They are from Noosa and Lake Cootharaba area. Alkirah believes she has been lucky to have been taught her culture from a young age, passed down by her strong bloodlines and ancestors before her.

Alkirah Crop (2)