The show will open with ceremonial song and dance at 5pm performed by Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Also known as Kath Walker, her works on display include her original sketch books that she used for her published works, and a number of her paintings of the rainbow serpent or Kabool – the carpet snake which significant for the Noonuccal people of Minjerribah.

Exhibition curator Tegan Burns said the artworks are closely tied to political movements and education movements throughout her life.

“A lot of her artwork is tied to political movements and the advocating that she did for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Burns said.

“I think one of the really beautiful pieces that we’ve got on display is the original sketches that she did for her publication, Father Sky and Mother Earth. There are a number of sketchbooks with the original drawings in them that were then eventually published as a children’s book that many people buy today.

“Another common theme throughout a lot of her artwork is the depiction of the rainbow serpent, or Kabool, the carpet snake. That is featured significantly throughout a lot of her work, and became a bit of a symbol for a lot of protest movements on the island. There were protests against sand mining, protests against the bridge to the island, and the rainbow serpent or the Kabool, the carpet snake, became a bit of a symbol for those movements.

“Just in this community alone, she was instrumental in setting up the Aboriginal housing and Aboriginal medical services on the island. She and her son Vivian actually designed the logo that still is used today for these organisations on the island.”

Burns said the exhibition is a reminder of the incredible contribution the artist made not only to life on the island, but to the cultural life of the nation.

While many people understand Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s writing prowess, she said not as many realised her artistic skill.

“She was an amazing artist. There is a quote from her that we’ve included in the exhibition where she talks about art was her way to escape,” she said.

“It was something that she did to get away, and then she could come back to her work in the political space or the education space and feel like she’d been on a holiday, and she was refreshed and ready to go again.

“I think it will be interesting for people to come and see the contribution that she’s made to the art space, as well.”

All of the works featured come from Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s private collection which is stored at the museum. Burns said they worked closely with the Walker family to show her original artworks that cannot be seen anywhere else.

“We’re so grateful to the Walker family for allowing us to access the collection, to be able to share this amazing artwork with the wider community,” she said.

“It’s really exciting to be able to share it with people.

“The arts practice within their family, has carried on through the generations. A lot of the family continue with song and dance.

“There are other artists in the family that paint and draw, as well, as one of her great-grandchildren who writes beautiful poetry as well. She’s really created a legacy within her family, but also within our community, with her artwork, with her political movements, with her education and the forming of so many essential services on the island for our people.”

The exhibition continues until Monday August 14, which Burns said is a great opportunity for people who may have never visited the island to come over on the walk-on ferry and see the artworks of such a significant writer in Australian history.