Ara-Boxing waves
2006
Medium
linocut
Measurements
89.0 × 245.0 cm (image)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by Woolloongabba Art Gallery, 2007
© Dennis Nona. Courtesy of The Aboriginal Art Network.
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Dennis Nona was born on Badu Island in the Torres Strait and his language group is Kala Lagaw Ya. Reflecting on his childhood, the artist has explained that he was encouraged not to be involved in the production of traditional art forms. Despite being prevented from engaging with Ancestral creative and cultural practices, Nona has always sought to retain the cultural influences of Badu and the surrounding islands in his work. He deliberately incorporates the ‘symbols of sea creatures, masks and designs’ in his compositions and has been influenced by ‘coastal Papuan art trading items such as drums with traditional designs carved on them’. Much of the inspiration for Nona’s subject matter comes from his familial ancestry (his father’s ancestors are from Papua New Guinea) and from his experience living as part of a small island community.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Cairns, Queensland
Edition
artist's proof
Accession Number
2007.422
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation