Desai Mabo Arus is a descendant of the Birri Gubba people, whose traditional country is near the Bowen River and the Burdekin River in North Qld. Desai has been painting for many years. He is a student of Aboriginal artist and tribal elder Colin Jones.
Desai’s totem’s are the tiger shark and the carpet python and these can often be seen depicted in his paintings. Desai’s using styles which are taught to him by his elder and teacher; Uncle Colin Jones. As is a strong part of Aboriginal culture, Colin is passing on his knowledge to the next generation, which comes from Colin’s elders and teachers.
Desai’s father is from Palm Island. The Aboriginal name for Palm Islanders is ‘Bwgcolman people’ (pronounced Bwook-a-mun), which means ‘many tribes – one people’. Many of today’s community members are descendants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people forcibly removed to Palm Island from throughout Queensland.
Desai’s mother is Eddie Mabo’s daughter, from Mer (Murray) Island, Torres Strait.