Exhibition focuses on a next generation of Torres Strait Island artists

When we think of art from the Torres Strait Islands, it is usually graphically strong and has a strong foundation in printmaking. A new exhibition co-curated by Aven Noah Jr, from NorthSite Contemporary Arts in Cairns, and Leitha Assan of Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island, shakes up those preconceptions, spotlighting a group of six artists.

It is the first time the group has shown their work outside of the Torres Strait Islands. Noah tells ArtsHub: ‘The reason we chose these artists is because we wanted to display different elements of contemporary practice in Torres Strait. A lot of people know that lino printing is a big part of the art scene, and we wanted to show the different mediums that are changing those perceptions today.’

Cairns has a large community of Torres Strait Islanders, including many practising artists. ‘I had somebody ask, “why don’t you get Torres Strait Island artists living in Cairns to be part of that show?” But they will always have opportunities in Cairns, and we don’t want to take opportunities away from artists living up there in the Torres Strait,’ Noah says.

‘We wanted to capture more of the up-and-coming artists, and not the bigger names. With this group of artists, they are always active, producing works and looking for opportunities. So Leitha and I talked about giving them that professional opportunity – it was a really important part of it, to allow them to come out of the comfort zone of the Torres Strait. I think it was good timing for this exhibition, to meet the aspirations of these artists.’

Titled Meriba Tonar | Ngoelmudh | Our Way, the exhibition features six artists: James Ahmat Sr, Lara Fujii, Harry Nona, Nola Ward-Page, Alick Passi and Maryann Sabasio. Noah notes that it was important for there to be gender balance for this exhibition.

Why collaboration is important for cultural sustainability

Noah spent over a decade at Gab Titui Cultural Centre before moving to Cairns, and has maintained a strong connection, recently taking a selection of NorthSite’s Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai exhibition back for blessing, and for local audiences, as part of Gab Titui’s 20th anniversary celebration prior its National tour of coming years. It was during this visit that he and Exhibitions and Public Programmes Manager, Leitha Assan, formulated the plan to introduce a next generation of talent to a broader audience.

Noah explains: ‘One of the highlights is reconnecting back home with these artists, because we don’t have too many opportunities to reconnect. This exhibition really closes that gap. And it also leads to other projects that may arise, because these artists are put front of mind.’

He describes the exhibition as colourful, but adds that it is also surprising.

‘When you walk through, you can see the artworks relate to our culture, history and identity, but they are also about making now. For instance, James Ahmat’s sculpture talks about newly hatched baby turtles and the great challenges they have to face starting their journey into the wild. And Nola Ward-Page’s canvas is really a representation of the Torres Strait Islands today, with scenes of a wedding or a day on the beach. So, it’s about life in this community.’

Many of the artworks in the exhibition are about the sea and how it shapes life on the Islands. ‘Traditionally, you would have men and women doing different type of works,’ says Noah. ‘But here, these artists are always experimenting with different mediums and changing them a little bit to make something like their own.’

The exhibition’s title is presented in two of the three main languages of the Torres Strait. Noah says, ‘We always tend to include the main languages in exhibitions, events and festivals, especially when we are representing the whole region.

‘We’ve always had a good relationship supporting one another,’ he adds, referring to NorthSite’s collaboration with the cultural centre. ‘When possible, we and the NorthSite team try to get the Gab Titui team down for professional development with their installations. This project takes that spirit a step further, and is a great model for organisations working together.’

Meriba Tonar | Ngoelmudh | Our Way will remain on show at NorthSite Contemporary Arts in Cairns from 14 June through to 10 August.

It will coincide with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and the winter dry season, which is the busiest time in Cairns.