Ngilina nganyundiya muya-la it’s in my breath/soul
Exhibition runs Saturday 18 April - Saturday 30 May 2026
Ngilina nganyundiya muya-la (it’s in my breath/soul) provides a glimpse into the creative world of Gumbaynggirr / Bundjalung artist Otis Hope Carey. It surveys his early approaches to painting to his now-established visual language of bold line work, radiating lines and circles expressing his deep spiritual and physical connection to the ocean (Gaagal), the spiritual totemic identity of the Gumbaynggirr people. His practice, whilst primarily on canvas, has extended to include bark paintings, sculptural painted logs and large form murals, exemplars of which are featured in the exhibition. Together, they tell the engaging story of an artist deeply connected to his country, culture and his commitment to art and surfing at once.
This exhibition is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Otis Hope Carey is represented by China Heights Gallery. Otis Hope Carey is the National Reconciliation Week 2026 artist.
Image: Otis Hope Carey, Ngalungggir miinggi healing spirit, Acrylic on canvas, 120x187cm, October 2022. China Heights Gallery
about the artist
Otis Hope Carey (b.1988) lives and works in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales on Bundjalung country and is a proud Gumbaynggirr / Bundjalung man. Since Carey’s first solo exhibition in 2016, NGURAALMI, at China Heights gallery in Sydney, Australia, Carey has dedicated his practice to the spiritual totemic identity of the Gumbaynggirr people called Gaagal (Ocean). When surveying Otis Hope Carey’s works in their totality, three distinct bodies of work can be discerned, those being; Gaagal (Ocean), Ngalunggirr Miinggi (Healing Spirit) which focuses on the Ocean’s healing qualities and Ngiinda Darrundang Gaagal (I Thank The Ocean) which incorporates his interpretations of Gaagal Yuludarla which is a ceremonial Ocean dreaming dance. The pieces hold powerful visually metaphoric line work expressing the flow of tidal patterns, rippling energy emanating from dancing feet and the unison of spirit and country for his people. Painting predominantly on stretched canvas, Carey has also expanded his practice into bark paintings, sculptural painted logs and large form murals.
Distinguished by bold line work, meticulous composition and liberal colour selection, Carey’s motif visual language in conjunction with his spirituality has earned him significant recognition within and beyond the Contemporary Art sphere. In 2018 Carey was a finalist in the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship, in 2020 he was a finalist in the Wynne Landscape prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and in 2023 was named GQ Men’s Artist of the Year. Carey’s works have been collected in both private and public collections along with a number of privately commissioned works, murals and collaborations. Outside of these endeavours, Carey is a noted professional surfer and pillar in First Nations communities.