The fourth annual pilgrimage to Yonder took place from the 24th to 26th November in the panoramic valleys of the Scenic Rim.

There are few times and places in life where the truly unimaginable takes place; and in these moments, these precious few instances, where reality drifts and fantasy takes hold, is where Yonder exists.

Yonder acknowledges that First Nations people were the first artists on this land, stretching back for thousands of years; in particular; within the Scenic Rim, the the Mununjali in the Centre where Yonder is held, the Wangerriburra to the East, the Ugurapul to the West, and all those of the Yugambeh and Jagera language groups, whose country is where our festival now stands.

Each year, a new artist is commissioned to reimagine the Yonder experience in the official festival artwork as our featured visual artist. For 2022, Meanjin based, Gunggari, illustration & digital artist Desirai join our talented community and share with us her interpretation of Yonder.

“Art helps me to express myself as I often can’t find the words to do so. I like to incorporate culture into my artworks as naturally as it lies within my life. Always there, deep rooted and causing a constant current within. Emotion is what heavily inspires my artworks. A lot of strength can be channelled and learnt from emotions of pain, anger and disappointment. So much emotion can be portrayed without the need for words. My artworks are like fragmented pieces of my own emotional & mental states. Apart of me hopes my creations will empower those (especially Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women) who can see a small part of themselves reflecting back through the artworks.”

Alongside an extensive music program across four stages, the festival maintained an equal focus on music, visual art, theatre, dance, talks and workshops scattered throughout an expansive and immersive festival site.

This was the festival to discover a new love.

As a project born out of love and passion for supporting the arts and the human connections that come through experiential engagement, we are grateful for a community that has always rallied their support behind the festival.