He left the Far North to pursue an art career at the City Art Institute in Sydney however Mr Meeks returned north to study with Cape York tribal elders before settling in Cairns.
The works by the skilled painter, sculptor and printmaker broached a broad range of issues including cross cultural interaction, relationships, gender, traditional and modern spirituality.
CIAF director Gillian Mailman through a veil of tears struggled to come to terms with his death.
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Arone Meeks with his collection of works in his exhibition called 'Megalo to Murray Island' at KickArts Gallery in 2018. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN
"He gave so much of himself and I am going to miss him so much," she said.