Tommy Pau

Maire (Fire Dance)

2014, Linocut Print, Dutch Aquatint Ink, Dutch Etching Paper, 30cm (h) x 20cm (w)

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This piece is a part of a collection of eight linocut prints which illustrate the various dance style performed in the eastern Torres Strait Islands entitled, Puleb: Figures used to depict dance style performed in the eastern Torres Strait. 

The figures depicted are used to show the verious dance styles, objects used and costumes. These traditional figures are called Puleb. Pulebs are traditionally carved, three dimensional objects, usually human, chiselled out of volcanic rock.  These are imbued with a spirit by a Maide Le (sorcery) for protection, used as charm, or the intermediary between the natural and spiritual world.  

Maire is a fire dance that is performed at dusk or at night. The first sticks are made from dried coconut leaves woven to create a tight weave. The dance has a crescendo moment where the fire sticks are slammed together to create flying embers. That moment is when the spirit of a deceased person is sent on its way to the next life.

Tommy Pau is descendent of the Eastern Torres Strait Islands, his heritage is Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islander and Asian. He was born in Townsville, North Queensland and lived there as an infant before relocating to Brisbane, Thursday Island, Waiben and Cairns. Pau considers himself an artist who is Indigenous, not as an Indigenous artist. His wide ranging professional practice includes sculpture, carving, printmaking, installation work, digital and multimedia, and anything that grabs his interest. He also writes poetry.

Edition 03/10 04/10 05/10 06/10 07/10 08/10 10/10

03/10 04/10 05/10 06/10 07/10 08/10 - Sold out 10/10 - Sold out

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