A celebration of the work of two artists from the Torres Strait Islands, showcasing the unique form of printmaking that is now synonymous with the region.
Artists from the Torres Strait Islands in Australia’s north have experimented with different forms of printmaking, most notably linocuts and vinylcuts, since the mid 1980s. This has led to the development of a unique style of printmaking. Employing finely executed blocks, these works combine detailed graphic designs with realistic figurative forms, generally printed in hard-edged black on white. Over time and through collaborations with master printmakers, artists have produced works on an ever-increasing scale, capturing the authority and complexity of diverse narratives that are distinct to the Torres Strait Islands.
Glen Mackie and Daniel O’Shane are two artists with individual practices who are currently at the forefront of this medium. This exhibition brings together a number of works by each artist that the Gallery has acquired in recent years.