Ad Wer: Story of the Stars from Eastern Torres Strait
Tommy Pau
Exhibition
Ad Wer: Story of the Stars from Eastern Torres Strait is a body of linocut print works by Tommy Pau examining constellations used by the Eastern Islanders of the Torres Strait and their science of astronomy.
Torres Strait Islanders observed the stars to govern their cosmos; to navigate, to plan, to plant, to study symbiotic relationships of space and time. This tells them when to hunt, plant seasonal foods and perform timely annual ceremonies. Tommy Pau sourced his information from casual conversations with elders present, elders past and ethnography works on the Torres Strait.
The intent of this exhibition is to preserve, educate and provoke future studies on the science of stars Torres Strait Islanders used in their cosmology. This knowledge is fast disappearing as the contemporary generations become more reliant on modern technology and methods.
A young visitor engaging with the exhibition.
Tommy Pau, Sia (Carina Nebula), 2015, Linocut on paper, 77 x 107cm.
Tommy Pau, Usiam (Pleiades), 2015, Linocut on paper, 76 x 57cm.
Tommy Pau, Dogai (Arcturus), 2015, Linocut on paper, 77 x 107cm.
Tour
The exhibition toured regional Queensland 2016-2018.
2018
The Centre, BEAUDESERT QLD 4285 | Friday 14 September - Monday 03 December 2018
Gladstone Regional Art Gallery, GLADSTONE QLD 4680 | Saturday 26 May - Saturday 04 August 2018
Coalface Gallery, MORANBAH QLD 4744 | Monday 05 February - Monday 26 March 2018
2017
Childers Art Space, CHILDERS QLD 4660 | Tuesday 31 October - Sunday 10 December 2017
Pine Rivers Art Gallery, STRATHPINE QLD 4500 | Thursday 13 July - Saturday 09 September 2017
Charters Towers Regional Gallery, LISSNER QLD 4820 | Monday 29 May - Tuesday 27 June 2017
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, FRASER COAST, PIALBA QLD 4655 | Wednesday 01 February - Sunday 12 March 2017
2016
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 | Friday 30 September - Sunday 06 November 2016
Townsville Bulletin, TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 | Monday 11 July - Monday 26 September 2016
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, CAIRNS QLD 4870 | Thursday 14 July - Sunday 17 July 2016
Eddie Mabo Library, JCU, TOWNSVILLE 4810 | Friday 20 May - Sunday 26 June 2016
See more of Umbrella's touring exhibitions here.
Catalogue
Open Hours
Tues - Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat - Sun: 9am-1pm
Gallery closed Mondays, public holidays and during exhibition install weeks.
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Contact
408 Flinders Street,
Gurambilbarra (Townsville),
Qld, 4810 Australia
PO Box 2394,
Gurambilbarra (Townsville),
Qld, 4810 Australia
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Acknowledgement of Country
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region - Bindal, Gugu Badhan, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal - as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
Umbrella is a Dealer Member of the Indigenous Art Code. This means we are committed to fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and transparency in the promotion and sale of artwork. As a Dealer Member and signatory to the Code we must act fairly, honestly, professionally and in good conscience in all direct or indirect dealings with artists.
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Acknowledgements
Umbrella is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. | Umbrella is supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. | Townsville City Council is a funding partner of Umbrella's program.
