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Dennis Nona
 | Biography: Email: tupmul@hotmail.com
Paper: watercolor archers smooth 250 gms
Title: Warr ar Gapu
Medium: Linocut
Price: AU$180-
Region: Torres Strait, Badu Island
Description:
Warr ar Gapu in western Torres Strait Island language means turtle and suckerfish. The meaning of Warr ar Gapu is a traditional saying for hunters to use suckerfish to catch turtles. This is a traditional way of hunting turtles by attaching string-rope to the tail of the suckerfish and it is then cast out near the turtle then it will swim to the turtle
and attach itself to the back of the turtle's shell. This knowledge was originally handed down from the legend story from Bia of Badu Island.
DENNIS NONA BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1973 on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland Australia. Dennis was born and raised with the traditional craft of wood carving. This, along with his cultural heritage, learnt through story telling and ceremonies, helped him develop his linocut skills which feature an intricate decorative style based on the rich narrative legends of the Torres Strait Islander people. The symbols he uses of sea creatures, masks and designs were influenced of Torres Strait Island artifacts, with traditional designs carved on them.
Dennis feels strongly about retaining his culture through his art. He holds an Associate Diploma of Art from Cairns TAFE and a Diploma of Visual Arts in Printmaking from the Institute of Arts, Australian National University, Canberra. Dennis is currently taking a Masters in Visual Arts at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.
Subjects and themes
Traditional Torres Strait Island Melanesian influence. Dennis’s linocuts derive from his wood-carving experiences on Badu Island, He is inspired by Torres Strait Island life and family traditions.
Subjects and Themes
Traditional Torres Strait Island Melanesian influence. Dennis’s linocuts derive from his wood-carving
experiences on Badu Island and Thursday Island , He is inspired by Torres Strait Island life and family traditions.
Language: Kala Lagaw Ya ( Western Torres Strait Island )
Totem: Tabu ( Snake Totem of Saibai Island of Nona Family ) and Tupmul ( Stingray of Badu Island )
Region: Western Torres Strait Island, Australia
Exhibitions
1991: The Eighth National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, D... to see complete biography, click on artists name Country: Australia Birthyear: 1973 Galleries: Aboriginal Creations, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Pandanus Art Gallery, Currumbin Beach, AUSTRALIA Awards: Cairns State High School Art Award Winner, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Cairns State High School Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies Award, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Machida International Print Art Award Winner, TOKYO, JAPAN
Excellence in the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Angel Orensanz Foundation Installation Art Award Winner, NEW YORK, USA Media: other, lino print Style: other, indigenous art Subjects: animals and wildlife |
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