Published Thursday, 28 August, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Celebration of Torres Strait Island culture at GoMA
‘Kozan’ a special Torres Strait Islander cultural event will be held at the Maiwar Green outside the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) on Sunday August 31.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the event would celebrate the inclusion of an early 20th century Headdress mask from the Torres Strait in the 'Picasso & his collection' exhibition showing at GoMA until September 14.
"Dancing, storytelling and a range of hands-on activities that celebrate Torres Strait Island culture and daily life will be held on the lawns of the Queensland Cultural Centre’s Maiwar Green from 11.30-3.30pm,” Mr Welford said.
“I encourage everyone to visit GoMA this Sunday to enjoy this celebration of arts, culture and music.
"Kozan, a word meaning ‘contribution’ to Torres Strait Islander people, recognises the cultural significance of the Headdress mask from Mabuiag Island, which came into Picasso’s personal collection in the 1920s.
"Renowned singer and songwriter Cygnet Repu from Mabuiag Island and a number of Brisbane’s Torres Strait Islander dance troupes, representing different regions across the Torres Strait, will perform live on stage.”
Traditional and contemporary dances by Wagga Dance Company (Moa Island); Malu-Kiai Mura Buai (Boigu Island) and Keriba Mabaigal Dance Company (Darnley Island) will feature, and members of Wagga Dance Company will also lead a thirty minute dance workshop.
Songs about history, culture and the current issues facing Indigenous youth will be performed by Damien Bani and Douglas Lui, from nationally renowned hip-hop group Indigenous Intrudaz.
Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said the Headdress mask in ‘Picasso & his collection’ was an extraordinary sculptural object and was displayed with up to 100 other art works Picasso collected over his lifetime, as well as eighty works by the artist.
“The mask, other examples of Oceanic and African sculpture and works by artists including Matisse, Modigliani, Cezanne, and Degas were collected by Picasso and used as a stimulus and source of inspiration for ideas in his work,” Mr Ellwood said.
"The Headdress mask has also inspired two hands-on, art-making activities that will be offered at ‘Kozan’ for children and families to enjoy.
"Children and families will be invited to make their own Torres Strait Island-inspired mask using cardboard, shells and coloured feathers and to make their own body adornment using coloured beads and thread.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the event would celebrate the inclusion of an early 20th century Headdress mask from the Torres Strait in the 'Picasso & his collection' exhibition showing at GoMA until September 14.
"Dancing, storytelling and a range of hands-on activities that celebrate Torres Strait Island culture and daily life will be held on the lawns of the Queensland Cultural Centre’s Maiwar Green from 11.30-3.30pm,” Mr Welford said.
“I encourage everyone to visit GoMA this Sunday to enjoy this celebration of arts, culture and music.
"Kozan, a word meaning ‘contribution’ to Torres Strait Islander people, recognises the cultural significance of the Headdress mask from Mabuiag Island, which came into Picasso’s personal collection in the 1920s.
"Renowned singer and songwriter Cygnet Repu from Mabuiag Island and a number of Brisbane’s Torres Strait Islander dance troupes, representing different regions across the Torres Strait, will perform live on stage.”
Traditional and contemporary dances by Wagga Dance Company (Moa Island); Malu-Kiai Mura Buai (Boigu Island) and Keriba Mabaigal Dance Company (Darnley Island) will feature, and members of Wagga Dance Company will also lead a thirty minute dance workshop.
Songs about history, culture and the current issues facing Indigenous youth will be performed by Damien Bani and Douglas Lui, from nationally renowned hip-hop group Indigenous Intrudaz.
Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said the Headdress mask in ‘Picasso & his collection’ was an extraordinary sculptural object and was displayed with up to 100 other art works Picasso collected over his lifetime, as well as eighty works by the artist.
“The mask, other examples of Oceanic and African sculpture and works by artists including Matisse, Modigliani, Cezanne, and Degas were collected by Picasso and used as a stimulus and source of inspiration for ideas in his work,” Mr Ellwood said.
"The Headdress mask has also inspired two hands-on, art-making activities that will be offered at ‘Kozan’ for children and families to enjoy.
"Children and families will be invited to make their own Torres Strait Island-inspired mask using cardboard, shells and coloured feathers and to make their own body adornment using coloured beads and thread.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000