'My art is all about telling and illustrating the stories my father told to me. The one thing I will never do is let my forefathers' words be lost.' Alick Tipoti
The Australian National Maritime Museum congratulates Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) artist Alick Tipoti on being recognised with a NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture Award.
Matt Poll, the Museum's Manager Indigenous Programs said, 'Alick's artistic practice extends his important community work as a language teacher, conservationist and choreographer, he is a role model for all artists in the way he has championed his responsibilities as a custodian of the deep ancestral knowledges of his home in Badu island, western Zenadth Kes.'
Ms Daryl Karp AM, Museum Director and CEO said, 'This recognition is so deserved. Alick is one of our country's finest artists. As a custodian and cultural ambassador, his innate desire to keep his cultural practices alive is at the heart of all his work. Through his multi-disciplinary work, we all have the chance to begin to learn about the Zenadth Kes culture. We are immensely proud to showcase his works.'
The Museum has acquired many important pieces of his work for the National Maritime Collection and is currently touring Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns) an exhibition of the museum's Tipoti collection alongside other pieces loaned from the Alick himself.
The exhibition will next be seen in the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre in Western Australia from 7 August – 26 October.
Alick Tipoti is a renowned visual and performance artist, community leader, linguist and regional advocate from Badu in Zenadth Kes. His elders named him Zugub, meaning Spiritual Ancestor, due to the spiritual encounters he experiences through his art practice.
Tipoti is highly revered due to his sophistication and ability to spread his concerns and messages through his art and has been acclaimed both nationally and internationally. His passion for ocean conservation and environmental issues has seen his works shown throughout the world.
