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
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
63 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Summer M
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Family
My daughter and I had aboriginal painting experience at this gallery. We sat and were given a tiny tiny canvas to paint. He kept talking about whatever it was about his life for 30 mins, took 2 mins to explain how to do aboriginal art. My daughter finished much quicker than me and other group so I asked him if I could pay for an extra CANVAS. He straight away gave my daughter another canvas. I was getting out my wallet and he said “ I’ll make you pay later.” So I backed my wallet to my bag. My daughter finished her second painting at the same time with me and another group means she didn’t cause any extra his time, but he asked me to pay another whole session fee( around $30) for a tiny canvas LOL
I said that I was happy to pay for extra canvas but not whole another session, and he said that he never had any problem to charge the fee in the past, saying I was the rude one. But I actually see the exact same report here in the past. As soon as someone came in he asked to me to leave as because he knew what he was doing was not right. I am very disappointed to the man who doesn’t care about children’s feeling. It’s so sad that she said that she was very disappointed about him as he acted nice at the beginning and turned completely different person over money. AGAIN, I was super happy to pay for the extra canvas, not for another session because we didn’t cause him another 1 and 1/2 hours to stay for her !!!
He probably didn’t do that if I was with a man, just a woman and a child,easy. That’S why he said to make me pay later after other group leaves. I do not have any respect to aboriginal art anymore. Paid $90 and that is the conclusion. Sure it was a big lesson.
I said that I was happy to pay for extra canvas but not whole another session, and he said that he never had any problem to charge the fee in the past, saying I was the rude one. But I actually see the exact same report here in the past. As soon as someone came in he asked to me to leave as because he knew what he was doing was not right. I am very disappointed to the man who doesn’t care about children’s feeling. It’s so sad that she said that she was very disappointed about him as he acted nice at the beginning and turned completely different person over money. AGAIN, I was super happy to pay for the extra canvas, not for another session because we didn’t cause him another 1 and 1/2 hours to stay for her !!!
He probably didn’t do that if I was with a man, just a woman and a child,easy. That’S why he said to make me pay later after other group leaves. I do not have any respect to aboriginal art anymore. Paid $90 and that is the conclusion. Sure it was a big lesson.
Written 18 September 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.
Marty Traveller
Bendigo, Australia80 contributions
Jul. 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.
SnowyandSniggles
Canandaigua1,030 contributions
Jul. 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.
Bill B
Canberra, Australia37 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Binna talked to us while preparing original art. We eventually bought a print on canvas featuring rainforest seeds and cassowary footprints. An excellent memento of a most enjoyable time in the rainforest.
Written 16 June 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.
Twix
1 contribution
Jun. 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.
JeannineBC
Summerland, Canada518 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.
cfma2000
Melbourne, Australia142 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.
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.
toffee66_10
Sydney, Australia37 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.
Paul24507
Melbourne, Australia162 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Couples
Definitely visit Janbal Gallery when your in the area.
Brian the resident artist will spend the time explaining the story behind the painting and is extremely helpful.
Brian the resident artist will spend the time explaining the story behind the painting and is extremely helpful.
Written 12 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.
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Claim your listingJanbal Gallery: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Janbal Gallery
- Hotels near Janbal Gallery:
- (0.13 km) Demi View Motel
- (0.73 km) Mossman Motel Holiday Villas
- (1.10 km) Mossman Gorge Bed and Breakfast
- (0.51 km) Mossman Exchange Hotel
- (2.74 km) Silky Oaks Lodge
- Restaurants near Janbal Gallery:
- (0.10 km) Mossman Memorial Bowls Club
- (0.15 km) Mossman Bakery
- (0.15 km) Inn Front
- (0.10 km) Jack High Bistro Restaurant
- (0.17 km) Mossman Thai Cuisine