BILLY MISSI | 'Padha Ka Marngi (arriving for the nest)' | Linocut print / hand-coloured

Ink: Van Son

Editioning printers: Theo Tremblay, Graham Thoem and Jessica Arsenault

Handcoloured by the artist.

Billy Missi, 1970- 2012, was from Kubin Village, Moa Island in Zenadh-Kes (the Torres Strait). His solo exhibition Urapun Kai Buai (one big kin) is currently touring Australia and his work focuses on family and cultural protocols and the artist's contemporary life experiences growing up in Zenadh-Kes. Missi is known as one of the leading printmakers of this region, having exhibited widely and achieved both national and international acclaim. He comes from a respected family of art practitioners and choreographers, from the tribes of Wagedagam, Geomu and Panai in Malu Lilgal (Western Torres Strait). His work is based on reasons for survival. He states: "The Torres Strait has a complex history and culture, vegetation and eco systems that work with the phases of the moon, so the livelihood of people in that region is based on, and strongly connected with the natural surroundings, hunting and gathering, identifying foods. Its why our people have continued to pass on traditional stories and cultural traditions"

Story: "In the uninhabited little Isles in the Torres Strait, a lot of activity happens whether on the reefs, shores, or inside their thick rainforests. 
This image depicts a group of goannas arriving upon a Green Turtle's nest. Sometimes they even get to the nests before the hunting parties. It is traditional to gather the exotic eggs as a food source and for ceremonies. 
This is one of many everyday activities that occur in the vast seascape environment within the Maluilgal (Western Torres Strait) waterway."