Janbal Gallery
Janbal Gallery
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
Janbal Gallery located in Mossman Far North Queensland is more than just an Aboriginal Art Gallery, it is a wonderful Aboriginal art experience that is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and operated. Come and learn about Aboriginal art and culture through hands-on painting workshops and storytelling experiences or simply browse that gallery at your leisure. Brian (Binna) Swindley, Janbal Gallery's owner and resident artist invites you to come in and browse, enjoy and share in an authentic Aboriginal art experience. Binna is a local Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman and he is passionate about sharing his culture, dreamtime stories and visual interpretations with visitors from all over the world. Join an Aboriginal Art Workshop where you will learn about the Kuku Yalanji history and culture whilst Binna shows you how to create your own art piece (that you can take home with you) using intricate details and design .
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Marty Traveller
Bendigo, Australia83 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
Binna is a indigenous artist, with a gallery and a workshop in Mossman. We met him on a tour to Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Forest. The trip is very short from Port Douglas, and our tour guide Mark, was a cracker - should have his own TV show. Our tour was an indigenous culture and art experience, Daintree Dreaming, and included a 90 minute art lesson from Binna. In my case, i need a few years of his guidance before I would feel confident, but Julie and our other guest proved up to the task as Binna explained his work, and then let us go solo.
Binna is a great host, is deaf and very talented. In regard to his deafness, you have to look at him when talking, and he lips reads with ease.
He explains his approach to art, and of course it looks easy to do. His workshop has originals and prints, and shows the extent of his talents.
Once he lets you go solo, what looks easy becomes a whole new world. I tried to draw a tree I saw during the day, with a climbing vine working its way around the trunk. You are given three colours, and no limits. Strangely, Binna was not keen to place my drawing in his gallery, despite my generous terms.
I would highly recommend this experience for all ages, and enjoyed our learning and our animated discussion about indigenous life in Australia.
Binna is a great host, is deaf and very talented. In regard to his deafness, you have to look at him when talking, and he lips reads with ease.
He explains his approach to art, and of course it looks easy to do. His workshop has originals and prints, and shows the extent of his talents.
Once he lets you go solo, what looks easy becomes a whole new world. I tried to draw a tree I saw during the day, with a climbing vine working its way around the trunk. You are given three colours, and no limits. Strangely, Binna was not keen to place my drawing in his gallery, despite my generous terms.
I would highly recommend this experience for all ages, and enjoyed our learning and our animated discussion about indigenous life in Australia.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
toffee66_10
Sydney, Australia36 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
The artist in residence, Binna, is amazing. His artwork is on display and available for purchase. It’s detailed, evocative and the pieces have a story behind each one. We also had the experience of producing our own small canvas under Binna’s guidance. Listening to him speak of the history of indigenous art held us spellbound and we were very happy with the pieces we created.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erinl77
Port Stephens, Australia40 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Thank you very much to Binna for a fabulous and authentic art workshop for our family. We loved hearing about Binna’s life and he guided each of us to make a unique and memorable art work. Highly recommend this workshop. We were lucky enough to book on the day.
Written 6 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigate45815023286
1 contribution
July 2024 • Family
Myself and 3 of my adult children booked this experience which was disappointing. The artist gave little instruction and over charges for a small piece of water colour paper on which to paint using acrylic paint.
There was no insight into the culture of aboriginal art which I had hoped for or use of traditional materials. When booking online the options are for an A5 artwork or to paint on a boomerang . I paid additional 30 dollars for boomerang which turned out to be a rough piece of plywood with sharp edges which was vaguely the same shape as a boomerang. To top it all off Bina was taking calls throughout and rushed us to finish class ten minutes before the allocated time. It was a scam which could have been a great experience.
There was no insight into the culture of aboriginal art which I had hoped for or use of traditional materials. When booking online the options are for an A5 artwork or to paint on a boomerang . I paid additional 30 dollars for boomerang which turned out to be a rough piece of plywood with sharp edges which was vaguely the same shape as a boomerang. To top it all off Bina was taking calls throughout and rushed us to finish class ten minutes before the allocated time. It was a scam which could have been a great experience.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twix
1 contribution
June 2022 • Family
Booked in for boomerang painting for a family of four. After sitting down to commence our class we were told there would be no boomerangs. Instead we were given the smallest hard square canvas to use, maybe 7cmx7cm. One of my kids wanted to do a second canvas, and we were told we would be charged for an additional canvas. Given we weren't doing boomerangs it would have been nice if this was included in the cost. However we were charged another $30! Very disappointing the kids didn't get to do an activity they were really looking forward to. I would have been prepared to pay more to actually paint a boomerang.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnowyandSniggles
Canandaigua, NY1,179 contributions
July 2023 • Family
We spent an afternoon with Binna Swindley, an acclaimed artist of the Kuku Yalangi people, learning about his journey and having instruction in creating art. It was both humbling and inspiring to see what could be created with 3 colors of paint and a pointed stick. Binna’s passion and expertise were very appreciated. He did not give much instruction but what he said was informative and helpful.
He has a gallery attached with many beautiful works but there was no pressure to purchase, and he is truly interested in passing his knowledge to tourists. He is also very positive and nonjudgmental so everyone in our group felt they had created a worthy piece of art. 2 skeptics were won over and the afternoon was voted a great experience. Highly recommended.
He has a gallery attached with many beautiful works but there was no pressure to purchase, and he is truly interested in passing his knowledge to tourists. He is also very positive and nonjudgmental so everyone in our group felt they had created a worthy piece of art. 2 skeptics were won over and the afternoon was voted a great experience. Highly recommended.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kartika N
2 contributions
Apr 2022
An afternoon with Artiste Binna in his Janbal gallery at Mossman was an incredible expereince. Binna gave us a full cutural journey connecting to country and people. Binna introduced us to art, nature, history and personal anecdotes. His artwork is extraordinary!!!Binna captivated us with the profound, magical sounds from his very own didgeridoo. Thank you Brian
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cfma2000
Melbourne, Australia144 contributions
May 2022
Brian (Binna) led a workshop for our group that was memorable, informative and fun. We were able to learn about the surrounding area, indigenous life and art while creating our own small works. A great way to learn more. And a chance to purchase artwork if you wanted to without pressure.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeannineBC
Summerland, Canada613 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We met Binna while touring the region and he gave us the most wonderful and appreciated cultural interaction. He also agreed to do a commissioned painting for us and have it shipped back to us in Canada. As an Australian living abroad, it is incredibly meaningful to have some of my culture around me.
Thank you Binna, you are very much appreciated!
Thank you Binna, you are very much appreciated!
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catink1973
Memphis, TN50 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
This was part of one of my tours/adventures. And an adventure it was. Not just meeting the owner/artist but getting to paint something with his tutelage.
Hearing the stories of Aboriginal arts and the meanings.
Artist I am not, but it was nice getting a compliment on my abstract art. He held up my piece and I wanted to take his picture holding it, but he said if he was in it then it would be counted as his :-) Ok that could have been taken two ways. I took the high road...he was kinda sorta impressed.
Brian Swindley (Binna)
You must go!!!! Tell him I sent you..show my artwork ;-)
Hearing the stories of Aboriginal arts and the meanings.
Artist I am not, but it was nice getting a compliment on my abstract art. He held up my piece and I wanted to take his picture holding it, but he said if he was in it then it would be counted as his :-) Ok that could have been taken two ways. I took the high road...he was kinda sorta impressed.
Brian Swindley (Binna)
You must go!!!! Tell him I sent you..show my artwork ;-)
Written 14 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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