For years the communities of the Torres Strait dreamed of a place where our unique cultural heritage and identities could be maintained and shared with generations of our people.
Foreword
In 2004, after more than twenty years of advocacy by dedicated Torres Strait Islanders and supporters, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre finally opened its doors with the aim to enhance and promote Torres Strait cultural, social and economic revitalisation and the development of contemporary artistic practice across the region.
I pay respect and give acknowledgement particularly to the late Adhi Ephraim Bani whose passion and vision for a keeping place in the Torres Strait was fundamental to Gab Titui’s establishment and who sadly passed away before seeing his dream fully realised.
I would also like to acknowledge Mr Victor McGrath, a strong advocate and former manager of the Centre as well as Ms Leilani Bin Juda, the National Museum of Australia, Australian Museum and members of the Gab Titui Steering Committee and staff for
their crucial support in establishing Gab Titui as a successful institution.
Since 2004, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre has had the privilege to work together with artists and community members from across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, mainland Torres Strait Islander artists and key partner organisations, who have provided vital support to the Centre’s growth.
This booklet is a celebration of what we have achieved in this time, and the talent, diversity and passion that exists within our communities to maintain and develop our unique culture and contemporary art practice.
On behalf of the Torres Strait Regional Authority I would like to thank the artists, craftspeople and members of the wider community who have supported the Centre, the Australia Council for the Arts, and Arts Queensland for
their ongoing funding support, the National Museum of Australia and of course the staff of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre both past and present for their tireless efforts and dedication to the promotion of our region.
We look forward to continuing to work closely with communities, partner organisations and all levels of government into the future to build on the many successes of the last ten years.
Joseph Elu Chairman Torres Strait Regional Authority
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Introduction
Gab Titui
The Gab Titui Cultural Centre sits on the land of the Kaurareg nation, the traditional owners of the Kaiwalagal region (Inner Islands) of the Torres Strait. The central focus of the Centre is to contribute to the maintenance, revitalisation and preservation of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal culture and to the development and promotion of local Indigenous art.
Gab Titui’s establishment in 2004 was the result of over twenty years of interest by the local community and others in the creation of a keeping
place to house and share historical and cultural material in the Torres Strait. The cultural centre was envisaged as a place not only to engage with materials from the past, but also as a venue to foster contemporary artistic production and the promotion of the living Ailan
Kastom of the Torres Strait.
In 2000, seed funding of $1,000,000 through the Queensland Heritage Trails Network provided a catalyst for the cultural centre’s establishment, together with combined resources from the TSRA, Commonwealth and State Governments.
In 2002 a Steering Committee was formed to guide Gab Titui’s development and in April 2004, doors opened to the community for the first time.
The Gab Titui Cultural Centre is operated by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and guided by its Board of Indigenous members representing 20 communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. The Centre supports artists from across the region through a range of arts development and cultural maintenance initiatives and as an outlet for the sale and promotion of artists’ work.
The name Gab Titui was recommended by the late Mr Ephraim Bani, linguist, cultural advisor and one of the key visionaries for the creation of the cultural centre. Extensive community consultation and research ensured that the name would represent both eastern and western language groups of the Torres Strait. The words Gab, interpreted as journey in Meriam Mir, the language of the Eastern Islands, and Titui meaning stars in Kala Lagaw Ya, the language of the Western Islands, combine to form Gab Titui – Journey by the Stars.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Gab Titui logo artist insight Andrew Matatia Warrior
I believe very strongly in cultural preservation and have spent a lot of my own personal time researching the culture, traditions and history of our people. Being an artist, I have come up with my own symbolic representations of designs and objects and this is what enabled me to create this design.
The chosen design was in fact the very first idea I came up with. The Dthoeri / Dari (traditional headdress) is an artefact that is distinct only to the Islands of the Torres Strait and its specific design is found in no other culture throughout the world. It is because of this that it is used here as a symbol of our people. The particular headdress of this design has two different sides to represent the traditional (on left) and modern (on right) societies of the Torres Strait.
The “v-cut” ends of the feathers, which traditionally stand for fishtails, are also used here as hazards to symbolise the “rough” life or hardship experienced by our people in traditional Torres Strait society and during the early stages of foreign colonisation. The smooth outer edge of the stylised side represent how in this modern society, we have a much “smoother” or easier lifestyle in comparison to our forefathers.
The Warup (traditional drum) is often used in my work as my own personal symbol for the passing of knowledge. How when it is struck at one end, the sound resonates out the other in the same way that when one speaks, another listens. This is what the Gab Titui Cultural Centre represents.
The star of course represents our five regions – northwest, mid-west, low west, central and eastern – and our unity today as Torres Strait Islanders. In the past, there were only a few alliances between the Islands and we generally only communicated in trade, for marriages or warfare. The positioning of the star in the centre of the Warup also serves great purpose. It is that this centre is a place where our people stand united in our fight for cultural preservation; where our knowledge may be maintained for following generations to walk the paths of our traditions with cultural identity.
I am incredibly honoured that this design that I created was selected as the logo for such a centre. I do believe very strongly in cultural preservation and hope that our following generation acknowledge our traditional ways. The incredible influence of new and foreign societies that impact on the indigenous youths of our generation today is the greatest obstacle for our cultural survival.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2004
The Gab Titui Cultural Centre opened to the public in April 2004, amid three days of celebrations that showcased the vibrant cultural diversity and rich talent inherent in the Torres Strait.
Clockwise from top:
Highlights
Official opening celebrations – 16 April 2004 - including exhibition of cultural artefacts on loan from the Australian Museum
Gelam Nguzu Kazi: Dugong
My Son – exhibition of works by Mualgau Mineral Artists’ Collective
Gift of Presence – The Spirit of
Reconciliation touring exhibition and workshops from the State Library of Queensland
Glen Douglas Mackie, artist-in-residence exhibition
Meriba Pikial: Our Dreaming – exhibition of works by Thursday Island TAFE Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art graduates
Thursday Island State High School and Torres Strait Islander artists’ collective art exhibition
Urapun, Muinu Garasar One,
In Many – Billy Missi solo exhibition
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Sania Mabo, Warren Entsch MP, Petharie Bani and Anna Bligh officially open the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Tharna Fire Dancers perform at Gab Titui’s official opening.Traditional song at the blessing of Gab Titui. Petharie Bani reveals the Ephraim Bani Commemorative Plaque. Photos: George Serras, National Museum of Australia.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Highlights
First birthday celebrations: - Writers’ Festival - Haddon photographic exhibition
Caring for our Coasts,
Respecting Sea Country art competition and display
FNQ Souvenir exhibition, featuring Stanley Laifoo
Clay sculpture workshop with Rowena Buchanan
Traditional language seminars
Business and Visual Arts and Crafts Forum
Gab Titui wins first Queensland Tourism Award for Indigenous Tourism
rewind / FORWARD Margot Douglas exhibition, featuring jewellery workshops and artist talk with Margot Douglas
Stanley Laifoo solo exhibition
Travelling Suitcase Kit
exhibition (on tour from the National Gallery of Australia)
Landscape drawing and painting workshop
Selected works by Leo Akee
2005
In 2005 Gab Titui celebrated the first anniversary of its opening, with a week-long writers’ festival as well as an exhibition of photographs from the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 19th Century Haddon collection.
After just one year of operation Gab Titui was honoured to receive the Queensland Tourism Award for Indigenous Tourism for the first time.
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Clockwise from top left: Leilani Bin Juda, Simona Barkus, Rosaline Fujii, Victor McGrath and Frank David with Gab Titui’s first Queensland Tourism Award for Indigenous Tourism.Ina Titasey and Cessa Nakata with a visitor at Gab Titui’s first birthday celebrations. Jewellery workshops with Margot Douglas. Young writers join in Gab Titui’s 1st birthday celebrations Writers’ Week. FNQ Souvenir exhibition, selected works.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Heinke Diver’s Helmet, loaned from the Queensland Museum for cultural maintenance exhibition The First Pearlers.
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2006
The First Pearlers exhibition opened in Gab Titui’s Ephraim Bani Gallery in September 2006, highlighting the rich pearling history of the Torres Strait.
The Antonia and Yancy-Taum pearling luggers.
Highlights
2nd birthday celebrations
Gab Titui wins second Queensland Tourism Award for Indigenous Tourism
The First Pearlers exhibition
Ngalpun Minirau Kuthin, Wadth
Zigin ar Kusikus – exhibition of works by Alick Tipoti
Green Turtle Dreaming touring exhibition
Sesserae – works by Dennis Nona
Launch of ‘Gatherings II’
book of Queensland Indigenous artworks
Rotuma Day mat exchange ceremony
Father Stephen Tabo launches children’s book, Triggerfish
and Trevally at Gab Titui
Filming and staging of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Gab Titui for feature length documentary ‘4’ http://vimeo.com/64694826
The exhibition was an opportunity to acknowledge and educate about the ways the pearling industry has shaped the Torres Strait, as well as the significance of the pearl shell itself to Torres Strait culture and the early Australian economy. The First Pearlers featured a digitally enhanced photographic display, pearl shell and dive artefacts, a running documentary, recorded stories from the pearling era and was accompanied at its opening by performances and recollections by former pearl diver, Uncle Seaman Dan.
In partnership with the Museum of Tropical Queensland, a diving demonstration was also held at the Thursday Island Engineer’s Wharf utilising diving apparatus from the pearling era.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Highlights
3rd birthday celebrations
Gab Titui wins third Queensland Tourism Award for Indigenous Tourism – inducted into Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame
Finalist 2007 Australian Tourism Awards; Highly Commended -
Emerging Businesses Reconciliation Business Awards
TSRA recruits first Arts Development Officer to work alongside the Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Bipotaim cultural maintenance project commences in St Paul’s, Masig, Saibai, Thursday Island communities
Kids Asia-Pacific Triennial (APT) Summer Spectacular
Jewellery workshop with Margot Douglas
Gab Titui hosts The Outback Café
Copyright workshops for artists
Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival
Health Awareness Week children’s workshops
Ghost net workshops with Chantal Cordey
Bits and Pieces, Kathryn Norris solo exhibition and children’s workshops
Culture Cullt Clan, contemporary artwork by Janice Peacock
Kin & Country: West Coast Cape
York Movement, touring exhibition from Tanks Arts Centre
Mura Solwata Kosker book launch
2007
In 2007 the Gab Titui Cultural Centre was inducted into the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for excellence in Indigenous tourism, having been named the ‘best’ Indigenous tourism entity in the state for three consecutive years.
The achievement is a credit to our region’s talented artists, craftspeople and community who have supported the Centre since its opening, as well as an important acknowledgement by the tourism industry of Gab Titui’s contribution to maintaining and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Torres Strait with our people and the rest of the world.
Mark Olive during filming of The Outback Café at Gab Titui.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
(Front L-R) Rellis Petrou, Michael Kanai, Aven Noah Jr, (Back L-R) Robyn Fernandez, Karen Loban, Rosaline Fujii and Frank David, with Gab Titui’s Queensland Tourism Awards and Hall of Fame certificates.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Clockwise from top left:The Wabunaw Geth Dance Team perform at the opening of the 2012 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award. Ceferino Sabatino explains his 2011 prize winning work, Kos and Abob to Michael Pickering from the National Museum of Australia. 2012 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award judge, Tom Mosby, with then TSRA Alternate Deputy Chairperson, Kenny Bedford and artists from the Erub Erwer Meta Art Centre (Erub Arts). Melita Ware and Angela Torenbeek with their Ghost Net Baskets in 2010. Tony Harry with his work, Kowbu Rugal in 2009.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2008
The inaugural Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award was launched in 2008 in an attempt to gather and showcase a thorough representation of artwork from each of the communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.
Since then, the Award has grown to become one of the most comprehensive annual exhibitions of Torres Strait art and craft, produced by local artists both emerging and established.
Highlights
4th birthday celebrations
Goeyga Thithuy model sailing canoe returns to the Torres Strait
Gift shop renovation
Kuniya Tidi: Dhoeris by George Nona solo exhibition
Bipotaim: Stories from
the Torres Strait cultural maintenance exhibition
Inaugural Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award
Erub Erwer Meta (Erub Arts) becomes the Torres Strait’s first incorporated art centre
In Repose Japanese ceremonial performance and exhibition
Gab Titui represents the Torres Strait for the first time at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
Weaving the Web – Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre weaving exchange
Torres Strait weaving exhibition
Mina Big Launch Nyte featuring Patrick Levi, Cygnet Repu and Music and Dance Audit recordings from Iama, Badu, Mabuiag and Warraber Islands
Picasso children’s workshops (Gallery of Modern Art touring workshops)
Traineeship professional development (Brisbane) and graduation
Ariw Poenipan perform at Gab Titui
Outer island community visits – Kirriri, Iama, Erub, Mer, Badu
Subsidised Art Materials Project begins at Gab Titui, offering low cost art materials to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists
Changeover of cultural artefacts on loan from Australian Museum with a selection from the Queensland Museum
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2009
Cultural maintenance exhibition, Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Dance Machines launched in 2009 and became the first Gab Titui exhibition to tour overseas, travelling to Hawaii to be exhibited at the East-West Centre in Honolulu.
The exhibition featured zamiyak designs from various Torres Strait communities, highlighting the importance of dance in Torres Strait culture, the use of zamiyak in performances as well as the talent and workmanship of the zamiyak makers.
Zamiyakal featured as part of the annual cultural maintenance exhibition program on display in Gab Titui’s Ephraim Bani Gallery, earning the Centre a Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Award for its strong community focus and advocacy for the region.
Highlights
5th birthday celebrations
Gab Titui Communications Officer position created; TSRA develops the Culture, Art and Heritage Program encompassing Arts Development, Cultural Development and the Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Queensland Premier officially opens Erub Erwer Meta Art Centre on Erub Island
Erub Erwer Meta (Erub Arts) open first group exhibition, Meg
Agoragor Ailan Pos at Gab Titui Cultural Centre and unveil public art (Ailan Pos) in Gab Titui grounds
Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh (Badu Island Arts) and Ngalmun Lagau Minaral (Moa) become incorporated art centres
Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Dance
Machines opens in the Ephraim Bani Gallery and tours to Hawaii
Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Award
Seaman Dan’s 80th birthday and launch of Sailing Home
2nd Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award
Gab Titui attends Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Murray Island Art Group exhibition
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Clockwise from top left: Erub Erwer Meta artists with Former Premier Anna Bligh at the opening of Erub Erwer Meta (Erub Arts). Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Dance Machines in the Ephraim Bani Gallery. Former TSRA Portfolio Member for Culture, Art and Heritage, Phillemon Mosby accepts Gab Titui’s Award from then Premier, Anna Bligh.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2010
In November 2007 the Gab Titui Cultural Centre commissioned photographer David Callow to visit four communities in the Torres Strait and document their stories of the 1967 referendum.
What transpired was Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait, a collection of powerful images accompanied by an eclectic mix of stories on the past, on change and on the future.
In 2010, Bipotaim toured to the State Library of Queensland, before heading to the National Museum of Australia, Canberra where it is currently on display.
Highlights
6th birthday celebrations
Launch of Gab Titui Cultural Centre website: www.gabtitui.com.au
TSRA recruits Cultural Development Officer to work alongside the Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Jettison Wove touring exhibition (Museum and Gallery Services Queensland)
Bipotaim: Stories from the
Torres Strait tours to the State Library of Queensland
Aiewal: Come, Gather – exhibition of emerging artists’ works created during art and craft workshops with Gab Titui through the TSRA Arts Development program and Thursday Island TAFE
Mura Kaimel/Netat Atami touring exhibition to Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, Adelaide, featuring new work by fourteen local Torres Strait Islander artists
3rd Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award
Gab Titui attends the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
In the Balance, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney featuring Angela Torenbeek, Georgia Curry and Frank Petero
Desert Mob Symposium: Stories from the Artists
Clockwise from top:
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Dr Jackie Huggins, Professor Roland Sussex and Constance Saveka at the opening of Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait at the State Library of Queensland. Photo: Jo-Anne Driessens, State Library of Queensland. Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait on display at the National Museum of Australia (2011). Photo: George Serras, National Museum of Australia. Rebecca Korchovsky, Robyn Fernandez and Thelma Savage with participant, Constance Saveka at the opening of Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait at the State Library of Queensland. Photo: Jo-Anne Driessens, State Library of Queensland. Gab Titui staff, Robyn Fernandez, Georgina Dann, Karen Loban and Evelyn Burnett with (centre front and back) Ellarose Savage and Diann Lui from Erub Erwer Meta (Erub Arts) at the 2010 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Torres Shire Council Mayor Pedro Stephen at the 2011 National Museum of Australia opening of Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait. Photo: George Serras, National Museum of Australia. Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait toured to the National Museum of Australia following a successful period of display at the State Library of Queensland (Featured: Alisa Duff, Then Head of the Torres Strait Islander Program at the National Museum of Australia). Photo: George Serras, National Museum of Australia.
Clockwise from top:
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2011
October 1, 2011 marked the tombstone unveiling of the late Adhi (Chief) Ephraim Bani. The Gab Titui Cultural Centre together with the Bani family developed a commemorative program to run the week leading up to the unveiling, reflecting upon and celebrating the life and achievements of this great man.
Adhi Ephraim Bani (2 July 1944 - 9 February 2004) was the 7th
Tribal Chief of Wagadagam, the major clan group of Mabuiag, and a renowned cultural advisor, linguist and advocate for the Torres Strait region. Throughout his life, Mr Bani actively promoted and maintained culture through numerous community cultural development initiatives. He was also a visionary leader in the establishment of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.
The Ephraim Bani Commemorative Program at Gab Titui highlighted the vast contributions made by Mr Bani to the Torres Strait and the wider Australian and international understanding of this region, its people and their culture. The week long program included special screenings of documentaries and personal footage featuring Mr Bani, a commemorative display in the Ephraim Bani Gallery (officially launched at Gab Titui
on 28 September 2011 with special performances by the Mabuiag dance team, Zuguwthiyam) and a moving public performance by the Baiwa Dance Company titled Warupaw Uu – Echo of the
Drums, inspired by and dedicated to the late Mr Ephraim Bani.
Highlights
7th birthday celebrations, including the launch of new information technologies, renovation plans and performances by Kura Stephen
Sibuwanay/Tar Digri:
Giving of the Gift cultural maintenance exhibition
4th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award, Land, Sea and Sky
Goeyga Thithuy canoe restoration and display at Queensland Museum Torres
Strait exhibition, Awakening
Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration, Brisbane Cultural Precinct
Gab Titui attends Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres
Strait tours to the National Museum of Australia
Ephraim Bani Commemorative Program and display, Muruygawmal
Muykupal Pathamukmik
Art Collectors’ Cruise
Surrealism for Kids on Tour Gallery of Modern Art touring children’s workshops
‘Music and Dance Audit’ packages from the Inner Western Islands, Boigu and Poruma released
Arts skills and product development workshops – Iama and Mer – facilitated by Di Abiad
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Clockwise from top left:Kura Stephen and Cynthia Tapim at Gab Titui’s 7th birthday celebration. Photo: Mark Roy, Torres News. Ephraim Bani. Photo courtesy Bani family. Goeyga Thithuy canoe restoration led by Mr Wilfred Aniba (front left).
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Clockwise from top left:Gab Titui renovations. Wabunaw Geth Dance Team performing at 5th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award opening. Photo: Jason McCarthy, National Museum of Australia. Drawing Life on tour at Gab Titui. Purple Spider Dance Team perform at the Henley Festival, UK. Photo: Eric Lui.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2012
In 2012 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the High Court Decision on Native Title and Gab Titui was privileged to display works produced by local artists, based on connections to the land and sea in the Torres Strait, in the 5th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award.
2012 was also the year that saw the Purple Spider Dance Team from Ugar travel to the United Kingdom for their first international performance at the Henley Festival, supported by the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Torres Strait Dance Strategy. The voyage was accompanied by a small art exhibition, curated by the TSRA Arts Development Officer, and was the subject of a television documentary, aired on the National Indigenous Television Network (NITV).
Highlights
8th birthday celebrations
Drawing Life on Tour Gallery of Modern Art touring children’s workshops
Sea Connections exhibition
5th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award, Native Title:
Our Land and Sea Rights
Gab Titui attends Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Gab Titui renovations begin
Purple Spider Dance Team travel to Henley Festival, United Kingdom accompanied by a small art exhibition curated by the TSRA Arts Development Officer
‘Music and Dance Audit’ package from Saibai Island released
Traditional art skills development workshops (weaving, drum and comb making) – Masig
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2013
A new-look Gab Titui Cultural Centre was opened in 2013, following major renovations that began in June 2012. Improved temperature control, new ocean outlook, performance areas, a gallery floor extension and installation of museum quality display systems were all unveiled to the public at our grand reopening celebrations in July.
The three day program of events featured dance performances, a short film and music program and workshops by community members from across the Torres Strait including the Kaurareg Wabunaw Geth Dance Team, Saibai’s Muyngu Koekaper Dance Team, Iama’s Thaiwa Dance Team, Mau Power, Joey Tapau and Gazir Tamwoy, Bob Kaige and the Waur Kus Rainmakers, Seaman Dan, Lonnie and Connie Pedro, Tom Stephen, Robert Meddy Kaigey, Yessie Mosby, Michael Mosby, Betty Tekahika, Lavinia Uta, Gertie Bigie, Maryann Nagibu-Muri, Taina Miskin and Margaret Gabey.
Highlights
Renovations completed
Reopening celebrations
6th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award, Ailan Style
Keriba Ad/Ngoelmun
Gidhal: Our Stories cultural maintenance exhibition
Seaman Dan book launch – Steady Steady: the life and
music of Seaman Dan
Art skills demonstrations and workshops
Community visits and children’s outreach program – Gallery of Modern Art APT7 on Tour
Kangaroo Crew Gallery of Modern Art primary school workshops
End of year open day featuring Leo B. Akee, George Gabey, Kura Stephen, Benjamin Mabo Jnr and workshops by Margaret Gabey, Ellen Mills and Cessa Nakata
Clockwise from top left:
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
Kangaroo Crew at Gab Titui. Wabunaw Geth Dance Team perform at Gab Titui’s reopening. Gebe and Sam Bon with artwork by Daina Wosomo, My Basket of Knowledge at the 6th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award opening. Blessing of Gab Titui’s renovated building in traditional hymn. Milton Savage offers a Welcome to Country. Seaman Dan at the launch of his biography, Steady Steady. Yessie and Michael Mosby share skills with young visitors in workshops at Gab Titui’s reopening celebrations. Photos: George Serras, National Museum of Australia.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Clockwise from top left:
2014
Gab Titui celebrated 10 years on 16 April 2014 with celebrations including traditional dance, live music and the opening of the 2014 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award.
Performances included Saamkarem Era Kodomer Dance Troupe, Northern Xposure and Jack Bani, who sang in honour of his grandfather and cultural centre visionary Adhi Ephraim Bani.
From all the staff at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, we look forward to all that the coming year has in store for our communities.
Highlights
10th birthday celebrations
7th Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award, Ailan Legends
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre
2014
Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award Winner, Vincent Babia and TSRA Chairman, Joseph Elu. Jack, Gabriel and Dimple Bani perform in honour of cultural centre visionary Adhi Ephraim Bani. Gab Titui Indigenous Saamkarem Erakodo Mer Dance Troupe, Erub Island. Art Award judges (L-R) Alo Tapim, Franchesca Cubillo and Victor McGrath.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Acknowledgements
Torres Strait visual and performing artists, craftspeople and communities
Torres Strait Regional Authority Board
Australia Council for the Arts
Arts Queensland
Queensland Heritage Trails Network
Gab Titui Steering Committee
Australian Museum
National Museum of Australia
State Library of Queensland National Gallery of Australia
University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Queensland Museum
Museum of Tropical Queensland
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
East-West Centre, Honolulu
The late Ephraim Bani and family
Celebrating 10 Years of Gab Titui Cultural Centre