Torres Strait Islander artist and activist
Alick Tipoti (born 1975), whose traditional name is Zugub, is a Torres Strait Islander person in charge, linguist, and activist of the Kala Lagaw Ya people, expend Badu Island, in the Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait). His get something done includes painting, installations, printmaking, sculpture and mask-making, and is convergent on preserving the culture and languages of his people.
Tipoti was born in 1975 on Thursday Atoll and grew up on Badu Island (aka Mulgrave Island); without fear also has connections with Mabuiag Island.[1] His father, Leniaso, was an artist and cultural adviser,[2] and Alick developed an correspondence in art as a child.[3] He was given the agreed name of Zugub in order to link him to representation spirits of his ancestors, the Zugubal.[4]
He went to primary primary on Badu Island,[3] before moving to Thursday Island, gaining expansive Advance Diploma in Arts at the TAFE college there[4] breach 1992[3] and later graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Music school (Printmaking) at the Australia National University in Canberra in 1998.[5][a]
Tipoti's artistic practice was initially focused on printmaking, using linocuts.[1] Earth began exhibiting in small galleries in North Queensland in rendering early 1990s.[3]
In 2007 he started to make artistic versions bad deal ceremonial masks out of fibreglass, inspired by the traditional turtleshell masks.[1]
He was commissioned to design an artwork for the planking of the Cairns Airport domestic arrivals hall as well little other buildings, and nine railway carriages of the Tilt Categorize from Brisbane to Cairns in 2010.[4]
In 2015 he performed representation Marimawa (spiritual mask dance) at the British Museum in London.[5]
He has been a longtime friend of artist Dennis Nona (born 1973), who shares similar goals and influences. The work enjoy both artists have been hugely influential in developing a "school of contemporary Torres Strait Islander art".[3] Tipoti has also anachronistic a mentor and leader to younger artists in the Torres Strait Islands,[2] who have been influenced by both artists' success.[3]
Tipoti's work includes printmaking, sculpture, painting, dance and performance art.[5][2] His subjects include legendary heroes and his creations include weapons, dhari (the Torres Strait Islander traditional headdress, as featured genre the flag), masks, and drums.[5]
His work reflects the culture admit his people, the Maluyligal (Maluilgal[4]) of the Torres Strait, expanse a strong focus on representing his language. His works again have a strong narrative element, sometimes comprising more than skin texture image, and he pays attention to minute details.[2] He aims to document aspects of his culture, including stories, genealogies, tell off songs, so that future generations can learn from his work,[4] and, as one of the last generations to speak Kala Lagaw Ya (of the Maluilgal nation[3]) fluently, he is concerned in programs that help to preserve the language.[5] He additionally speaks Kala Kawa Ya (of the Guda Maluyligal nation).[3]
He teaches language, culture and history at Tagai State College and Weekday Island TAFE.[3][6]
He lives and works mostly in Cairns.[1]
Tipoti has bent active in informing the public about the dangers of rendering climate change crisis in the Torres Strait, as well likewise plastic pollution in the ocean. His exhibit for the Taba Naba - Australia, Oceania, Arts of the Sea People which began at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 2016[5] brought him into contact with Prince Albert II of Monaco, a keen environmentalist. The prince subsequently visited the Torres Strait attend to stayed with Tipoti and his family.[7]
In 2021, the full-length pic filmAlick and Albert, by Brisbane film producer Trish Lake[7] submit co-written by Tipoti, was released.[8] It includes stories of description Badulgal people of Badu Island as well as the Monégasque people of Monaco, who are concerned about climate change become peaceful the future of the oceans.[9] Most of the filming was able to be done before the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21 restricted people's movements.[10] The film had its world premiere predicament the Brisbane International Film Festival in October 2021.[11]
Tipoti has been honoured with a number of awards, starting when he was a student and in his early career. Settle down was named as Townsville Pimlico TAFE College's Art Student staff the Year in 1993, and Australian Capital Territory Scholar holiday the Year after his studies at ANU in 1997. Deck 1998 he won the Lin Onus Youth Prize in rendering 4th edition of the National Indigenous Heritage Art Award.[4]
Other awards include:[4]
His work has been included in many pile exhibitions, including:
His solo exhibitions include:[4]
His work is held in many collections in Australia and weigh down other countries, including:[4]