Ghost town turns creative

A new gallery featuring handmade works from local creatives has officially opened in the historic Cossack townsite.

The gallery, named Bajinhurrba, has been open since September but the ghost town came alive last month with the official opening ceremony featuring entertainment from local artists.

The gallery features art, handmade gifts, clothing and a book store, all sourced from artists living in Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha, Roebourne and Dampier.

Garlbagu and the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited is behind the initiative, with chief executive Bruce Jorgensen saying the aim of the gallery was to entice people to visit and give the community a platform to show and sell their work.

“We wanted to make the place more interesting for people to have a look,” he said.

“We are getting some really cool stuff. We’ve got jewellery, handmade candles which sell really well and the various Aboriginal art work as well, which is really important. The bookshop part of it is really important to us as well.”

NYFL tourism and events co-ordinator Emily Zimmerle said she was proud of the diversity of work in the gallery. She said getting to see their work on display gave the creatives a sense of pride.

“People come to Cossack to see the history and learn about what happened here and then they can see what is happening locally now, what is happening in the present and that it is very much alive and thriving,” she said.

“There are so many creative people that are coming out of the woodwork and it’s been really exciting how many talented people live locally.”