| Place | Oceania: Australia, Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait, Badu (Mulgrave Island) |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2016.401.5 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 1255 x 2228 mm; Image: 800 x 2004 mm |
| Object type | |
| Physical description | lino print |
| Maker |
Gaidan, Aiona Tala |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait, Badu (Mulgrave Island) |
| Date made | June 2016 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 Period 2010-2019 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Ngaw Athen Thonarnu [during my grandfathers time]
Description
'Ngaw Athen Thonarnu means during my grandfathers time. The seven stars across the top of the print represents myself and my six siblings. In the centre I show a soldier kneeling before a cross paying respect to a fallen veteran. This is an annual event called ANZAC. The planes on both sides are War Planes of that era. One representing America and the other represents Britain. The Dhoeri is my identity as a Torres Strait Islander. The patterns that hold this print together are about my culture. Certain patterns within the whole print are symbolic to me because again it represents my siblings and me. The four vertical lines represent my three brothers and me. The three horizontal lines represent my sisters.' Aiona Gaidan, 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. Aiona Gaidan is one of the most exciting young artists currently working in the Torres Straits. He works as the Master Printer at Badu Art Centre.