Thursday, 2 November 2023
Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
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Pride of place in Kaziw Meta art work BY CARLI WILLIS
Udiwad Tapim proudly holds up her part of the new installation. Pic by Timroy Manas & Kutuane Waia.
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Students at Torres Strait Kaziw Meta on Waiben are working hard with prominent Zenadth Kes artists to create a large-scale art installation which will bring pride of place to boarders at their school home for generations to come. Udiwad Tapim, from Murray Island, said she was proud to be part of the project. “It’s nice to see how the other students have different styles of art and how Uncle Joey (Laifoo) is able to put it all together,” she said. “To know that it will be permanent and it will stay here for the future kids who are brought here from other outer islands – they can see that we’ve been doing some nice things here at college.” First, the students sketched their creations on paper, which they later traced onto plywood. The ply cut-outs were then ready to be painted and installed at the Kaziw Meta Boarding School Complex. Shontay Kelly, from Yam Island, said she created a bird of paradise. “Some of us kids [have] Papua New Guinea [connections] so I decided to do a symbol of the bird of paradise,” she said. “To me, it’s going to be something to cherish because I’m going to be graduating next year and when I come back here, I’ll see I did something for the college.
“If family members come here, they’ll see I did something here.” She said she felt inspired to continue to create. Eddie Nona has sold artworks all over the world and was one of the artist mentors working with the students. He said art was a way of connecting to culture. “If I try and spread my experience to the kids, and knowing I don’t paint for the sake of painting, there’s a reason behind every work that you do, hopefully it inspires them,” he said. “If you actually put your mind or heart to it, you’ll feel you’re part of where you come from. “I’m happy kids are turning their mind into art, it’s an enjoyable thing and could put them on the map.” Project partner and artist mentor Joey Laifoo said the project taught them skills passed down for generations, but also creative industry skills. “This kind of project is really good because it gives the young ones another way in life, different skills,” he said. “Using their own designs will help them in future, in case they want to go further with artwork. “They have professional people helping them to develop that skill, it’s a skill that’s been passed down for generations, [so we’re] helping them to find their strengths in art and culture.” More pics P4 N