| Place | Oceania: Australia, Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait, Badu (Mulgrave Island) |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2016.401.3 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 1253 x 1610 mm; Image: 965 x 1398 mm |
| Object type | |
| Physical description | lino print |
| Maker |
Au, Joseph |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait, Badu (Mulgrave Island) |
| Date made | 2016 |
| Conflict |
Period 2010-2019 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Ngoelmun Athel [our Grandfathers]
Description
'My lino print 'Ngoelmun Athel' was inspired by the bravery that was shown by our grandfathers who signed up to serve in the Australian army to go to war against the Japanese during World War 2. Islanders stood up to protect our beloved Torres Strait, even though they weren't recognised and were paid way below the minimum standard wages. Our grandfathers were part of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion.
The whole print is held together by the now world recognised Torres Strait flag, reason being that in those times, the Torres Strait nation alone had no flag to represent us as a people.
Myself and Laurie Nona used to play around an old rusted jeep from the world war 2 time. This jeep stood below a mango tree behind Laurie's house. These memories make me respect the times of my ancestors. I show this at the top centre of my print. On the highest peak of Koemath Hill on Badu was a lookout base. This was the location for the 341 Radar. This is shown on the top right of my work.
The wild horses shown in the print are those on Badu Island. These were known to have been wagon horse breeds that were left behind by the army after the war. The lugger boat to the left of the print is because one of my grandfathers, Ganaia Waiat was a crew during that time. They delivered raisin packages to Merauke and Port Morsby in PNG.
Here is a list of some of my grandfathers who served: Q85270 PTE WAIAT GANAIA; Q85271 PTE WARRIA APORIA and Q304503 PTE MATASIA JAMES' Jospeh Au, 2016.
In 2015 the Australian War Memorial commissioned five artists working at Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh (Badu Art Centre) on Badu Island in the Torres Straits to create a suite of lino prints that interpret the experience of the Second World War and its legacy for their community. Joseph is one of the senior artists on Badu who together with Laurie Nona and Alick Tipoti was a driving force behind the establishment of Badu Art Centre in the early 2000s and integral to its continuing success. His work is represented in the National gallery of Australia and many private collections.