WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait

Glen MACKIE (Kei KALAK) 'Kuaka' 2011 vinylcut 110.0 x 80.0cm Les Renfrew Bequest Newcastle Art Gallery collection Courtesy the artist
29 May - 22 August 2021
10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, 7 days during school holidays

Free exhibition

The narrow stretch of water between the land masses of Zai Dagam Daudai (Australia) in the south and Naigai Dagam Daudai (Papua New Guinea) in the north is home to a seafaring race of Indigenous people - Torres Strait Islanders; whose spirituality is derived from their ancestral ties to the land, sea and sky.

WARWAR is a traditional Eastern Island word in the Meriam Mer language, which translates into English as ‘marked with a pattern’. The exhibition WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait developed with renowned artist and curator Brian Robinson, showcases the contemporary arts practice that has developed within the Torres Strait and in cities scattered across the Australian continent. It explores issues of cultural maintenance, Christianity, language and the impact of globalisation on the physical environment of the Torres Strait Islands.

WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait showcases the evolution and strength of Torres Strait Islander tradition and society through arts practitioners from the 19th Century to the emergence of the contemporary art traditions of today. Works of art drawn from Newcastle’s collection will be displayed with newly created works and key loans from, local, state and national institutions, artists and private collections.

Exhibiting artists include: Wilfred ANIBA, Joseph AU, Ephraim BANI, Joey BANU, Fredwin BARSA, Solomon BOOTH, David BOSUN, Toby CEDAR, Ethel CHARLIE, Solomon CHARLIE, Fiona ELISALA MOSBY, James ESELI, Janet FIELDHOUSE, Marion GAEMERS, Aiona Tala GAIDAN, Emma GELA, Lynnette GRIFFITHS, Florence GUTCHEN, Kapau GUTCHEN, Francis HARRY, Richard HARRY, Tony HARRY, Ricardo IDAGI, Abia INGUI, Ubram KAIGEY, Lavinia KETCHELL, Job KUSU, Edmund LAZA, Grace Lillian LEE, Gail MABO, Glen MACKIE (Kei KALAK), Matilda NONA MALUJEWEL, Victor McGRATH, Billy MISSI, Yessie MOSBY, Jenny MYE, Nancy NAAWI, George NONA, Laurie NONA Senior, Michael NONA, Daniel O'SHANE, Asou OMEY, Racy OUI-PITT, George PASSI, Segar PASSI, Tommy PAU, Jim PEARSON, Brian ROBINSON, Ceferino (Nino) SABATINO, Joel SAM, Obery SAMBO, Ellarose SAVAGE, Paula SAVAGE, Edrick TABUAI, Allson Edrick TABUAI Senior, Jimmy John THAIDAY, Jimmy K THAIDAY, Dr Ken THAIDAY Senior, Patrick THAIDAY, Alick TIPOTI, Kala WAIA, Craig WALSH, Rosie WARE, Geede WILLIAMS.

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Download here: WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait Activity Booklet (pdf)

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Toby CEDAR Op Nor Beizam (Shark Mask) White 2018 bamboo cane, twine, raffia, pearl shell, acrylic paint, feather object 80.0cm x 56.0cm x 31.0cm Les Renfrew Bequest 2019 Newcastle Art Gallery collection

Glen MACKIE (Kei KALAK) 'Kuaka' 2011 vinylcut 110.0 x 80.0cm Les Renfrew Bequest Newcastle Art Gallery collection Courtesy the artist

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Prices

  • Exhibition entry FREE

Contact

Venue

Newcastle Art Gallery
1 Laman Street
Cooks Hill
2300