Tommy Pau

Meb (Moon)

2015, Linocut on paper, 107cm (h) x 77cm (w)

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Meb lives inside the moon and his facial expression describes his sadness for his lover, Iwell (Venus). Eastern Torres Strait Islanders have a story of Iwell and Meb coming together for a moment in time to spend in each other's embrace and the depart, waiting for the next time they would be together.

The female in the bottom right corner is from the story of Saibai. She appears here from the popular version of the story of a women who used to weave mats at night in the moon light. She was warned many times not to weave in the night but it was her way. The moon came and took her up to become a part of the moon where she can be seen weaving her mats. the story was told to warn children not to play or do work at night as bad people and spirits walk at night.

Having toured regional Queensland 2016-2018, Ad Wer: Story of the Stars from Eastern Torres Strait presented a body of linocut print works by Tommy Pau. The artist examined constellations used by the Eastern Islanders of the Torres Strait and their science of astronomy.

The methodology of the Torres Strait Islanders has been careful observation over thousands of years. Each observation recorded and etched into their memories, like experiences passed down orally to the next generation. The Islanders compare these natural seasonal timestamp changes so they are able to predict future planning for agriculture and hunting.

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 08/30 10/30

08/30 10/30

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