Bernard Lee Singleton is an Umpila, Djabugay/Yirrgay man raised in Cape York Peninsula. He continues to maintain strong cultural connections to his Djabugay and Yirrgay country of the Cairns Region where he is based. His practice is focused on crafting traditional hunting weapons, tools and objects which are heavily based on his father’s 30- year work as an archaeological relic’s ranger.

Bernard has over 15 years’ experience in cultural tourism, presenting internationally, performing, and educating as well as curatorial work in art galleries, exhibitions, and art fairs in Northern Australia. His work draws from his connections to and foundations of traditional crafting, traditional materials, or creation stories within.

“I craft using traditional materials, wood, stone, water and fire to ground myself. It is known that these techniques, that have been used over hundreds of years, become somewhat embedded in our physical self. So through the process of making a spear or shaping the rubbing in of the grind stone, I connect with my ancestors and they help bring my craft to life.

My work is a way for me to acknowledge and remember the times of my great grandmothers and great grandfathers and those before. My designs are inspired by the laws of nature and the forms found in the creation stories around me. Using these basic forms or designs, I work to represent the bond of land, its stories to art and the continuation of culture.”