Description
Medium: Linocut – Kaidaral
Edition Size: 30
Published: Artist Collective Print Workshop Mua TSI 2000
Printer: David Bosun
Studio: Moalgau Minneral Art Centre Moa Island (TSI)
Image size: 310 x 210
Paper size: 390 x 280
Paper: 280gsm Velin BFK Rives
The Mawa Mask, from Saibai Island, is 460 mm in height and is made from carved wood, painted, with eyes of nautilus shell with fibre added to it. It was used as a way of giving thanks when gardens were ready for harvest. A dancer, costumed in coconut leaves, would appear in the village wearing this mask whose presence ensured good crops for the villagers of Saibai Island. This print is credited to and for the seven clans of Saibai Island for their well maintained cultural beliefs, practices and performances of their traditional dances and customs that I always admired when I was growing up. While seeing them performing their unique style of dancing during many festivals and traditional feastings, I was always overwhelmed by their technique, and wished that I was also from Saibai Island so I too would have the rights of performing and dressing in their warrior like dancing costumes.
