The unbroken spirit of the Kalkadoons

The unbroken spirit of the Kalkadoons is a free exhibition of artworks, animations and digital stories by Kalkadoon (Kalkadunga) woman and visual artist Colleen Sam at State Library of Queensland from March 22 until August 24.

Colleen Sam and her mother, Aunty Ena Sam, share the powerful story of the Kalkadoon people’s resilience, survival, and unwavering strength, recounting oral histories of her families' resistance during one of the darkest periods in Queensland’s colonial past.  

For generations, Colleen and Aunty Ena’s ancestors safeguarded their cultural knowledge in secret, ensuring that the Sam family’s identity remained strong, despite persistent efforts to erase it.

The exhibition features a dedicated learning and healing space, including a yarning circle for community discussions, while family-friendly labels are provided to help young visitors explore and learn.

Good to know - Held monthly on Wednesdays from Mar 19 to August 20, you can join Colleen Sam for an exclusive artist-led tour of her exhibition. Free to attend but bookings are essential. BOOK HERE

State Library of Queensland is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com

Image 1: Black Cockatoo Dreaming, Colleen Sam (Kalkadoon/Kalkadunga), 2021, acrylic on canvas.

Image 2: Colleen Sam and Aunty Ena in kuril dhagun’s Talking Circle at State Library of Queensland, 2025, photo by State Library of Queensland. 

Image 3: Aunty Ena Sam and family members in Camooweal, c.1970. Photo supplied by the Sam family.

Image 4: Portrait of Colleen Sam in front of her artwork Ngundurra Dreaming, 2025, photo by State Library of Queensland.