Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is the first venue to host the national touring exhibition, Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai, which opens on Saturday, March 1, 2025 and remains on display until May 25.
The exhibition is presented by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (Gimuy/Carins) in partnership with Torres Strait Regional Authority's Gab Titui Cultural Centre (TSRA) (Waiben/Thursday Island), and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland.
Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai, is a profound exhibition honouring the late Torres Strait Islander artist Billy Missi (1970-2012). This significant touring exhibition has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program and will travel Australia from 2025 to 2028, sharing this immense exhibition with 13 galleries across Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai brings together over fifty of the artist's most significant and iconic prints, including rare and never-before-exhibited monoprints, etchings, and linoprints from Djumbunji Fine Art Press and private collections. Curated by Dr Russell Milledge, this retrospective was developed in close consultation with the Billy Missi Estate, family members and friends, highlighting Missi's critical role in the emergence of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) printmaking as a contemporary art form.
About the Exhibition
The Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai exhibition honours Missi's artistic legacy and his dedication to maintaining the language and culture of his people. The bilingual exhibition features diverse forms of printmaking and a film, presenting an immersive experience into contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture and customs. Audiences will gain a deep appreciation for Missi's work, reflecting his way of life, traditions, and enduring legacy.
Billy Missi was born on Mabuiag Island and was deeply influenced by the storytelling, song, and dance traditions of his Wagadagam Tribe.
Beginning in earnest in the 1990s, his artistic journey combined traditional carving techniques with modern linocut methods, creating a unique aesthetic that earned international recognition before his passing in 2012.
NorthSite Contemporary Arts CEO Ashleigh Campbell shares: "It's been a long-held ambition of our organisation, the Estate and family of the late artist to see his work and legacy shared with audiences across Australia.
"In the past we have worked closely with Pal'n aka Billy Missi to produce, exhibit and share his work. The last major selection of his prints toured to eight venues across Australia, as well as being seen by audiences in China and Manila.
"This is the most comprehensive exhibition of his practice to date and accompanied by bilingual artwork stories in Kala Lagaw Ya language of the Western Torres Strait Islands, it is a powerful insight into Torres Strait culture, kinship, language and environment. It's wonderful to be working closely with the family group as well as Gab Titui Cultural Centre and Museums & Galleries Queensland to ensure safe passage and wide exposure of this incredible body of work. We thank all partners, and the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program, for their support to realise the national tour of Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai over coming years.
"This exhibition provides opportunities for Torres Strait Islander arts workers and cultural knowledge holders to travel with the exhibition across Australia, providing insights, upholding protocols and continuing cultural exchange with communities as they host the show."
William Misi, nephew of the late artist and leader of the Maluiligal Dance Group shared the wider family's excitement upon the announcement of national touring support and reiterated the honour and strength of the works and that they'll be reaching galleries right across Australia, sharing Torres Strait culture broadly. "Mina koeyma eso (big thanks) to all involved. I look forward to what the future of this brings!," William said.
Wagadagam clan custodian and tribal Elder, Gabriel Bani describes the exhibition as "unfathomably strong in spirit and a must see for all Australians to gain insight into Torres Strait Island knowledge and culture".
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM reflected on memories of the artist as a forerunner in political, social and economic change for the region. "I've found myself in a privileged place, that I had been able to have known Pal'n very well," Mr Stephen said.
"The cultural knowledge that only our artists can visually interpret extends beyond the canvas, beyond textiles and beyond the wood," Mr Stephen added.
"They capture the depth of the messages that our Elders have for us to move forward, persevere and succeed. I thank Billy Missi for his life-long dedication to sharing culture and knowledge through art, his name will be echoed in the corridors of time."
