Tommy Pau

Usiam (Pleiades)

2015, Linocut on paper, 76cm (h) x 57cm (w)

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The clearing of land begins about the end of August and goes on until the wet season sets in. The ascension of Usiam, the flowering of the Sobe, Waiwi meaur and Kud trees are signs for clearing the land for gardening. Depicted are the six crew members that Tagai skewered that he sent up to the heavens to become the six brightest stars of the Usiam constellation (the Pleiades).

Having toured regional Queensland 2016-2018, Ad Wer: Story of the Stars from Eastern Torres Strait presented a body of linocut print works by Tommy Pau. The artist examined constellations used by the Eastern Islanders of the Torres Strait and their science of astronomy.

The methodology of the Torres Strait Islanders has been careful observation over thousands of years. Each observation recorded and etched into their memories, like experiences passed down orally to the next generation. The Islanders compare these natural seasonal timestamp changes so they are able to predict future planning for agriculture and hunting.

Tommy Pau is descendent of the Eastern Torres Strait Islands, his heritage is Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islander and Asian. He was born in Townsville, North Queensland and lived there as an infant before relocating to Brisbane, Thursday Island, Waiben and Cairns. Pau considers himself an artist who is Indigenous, not as an Indigenous artist. His wide ranging professional practice includes sculpture, carving, printmaking, installation work, digital and multimedia, and anything that grabs his interest. He also writes poetry.

 

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