Emu Egg Carving with Maurice Mickelo

Immerse yourself in a truly unique cultural and scientific experience during World Science Festival Queensland. Join us for a hands-on emu egg carving workshop led by talented Kabi Kabi artist Maurice Mickelo, where creativity, culture, and curiosity collide.

Unleash your imagination as you carve your own one-of-a-kind emu egg under expert guidance, revealing the natural layers, tones, and textures hidden within. This full-day immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore a distinctive Aboriginal art form while connecting with Country and appreciating the science behind the intricate patterns and materials of the emu egg.

Through emu egg carving, we honour the deep relationship between the emu, the land, and Aboriginal culture. This unique art form celebrates the resilience, continuity, and creativity of Aboriginal culture—far more than decorative objects, these carvings carry story, spirit, and a living connection to the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

About the Artist:

Maurice Mickelo is a Kabi Kabi artist from Cherbourg, Queensland, who creates intricately carved emu eggs using techniques that reveal the egg’s natural layers. His delicate patterns often depict native animals and ancestral narratives.

With a background in pottery and painting, Maurice brings a refined eye for detail and form to his emu egg carving practice, blending artistic precision with deep cultural knowledge. Each piece is carefully worked to showcase a range of tones and textures, resulting in artworks that are both visually striking and culturally meaningful.

During the workshop, you’ll carve a personalized piece that reflects this unique art form, creating a treasured keepsake for yourself or a meaningful gift.

Important Information

• This workshop requires some hand strength and involves using sharp carving tools
• Open to participants aged 15 years and over
• Bring along any inspirational images you'd like to carve

What’s Included

• All emu eggs, carving tools, and materials
• Morning Tea & Lunch
• A short video and discussion over lunch exploring the cultural significance of the Emu in the Sky, shared from a Kamilaroi perspective
• Your completed emu egg artwork to take home

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, 28 March
• Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Full-Day Workshop)
• Location: Aboriginal Art Co, 23 Anthony Street, West End

Don’t miss this World Science Festival Queensland experience— Spots are limited!

Pay-It-Forward Opportunity

Want to support First Nations participation? You can purchase a “Gift a Ticket” option. Your contribution will provide a First Nations person with free entry to the workshop. This is a wonderful way to share creativity and inspiration with the community.

Aboriginal Art Co is also supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Australian Government through through Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS), with philanthropic support through Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and Creative Partnerships Australia via the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF).

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