Glen Mackie | FireWorks Gallery

Artist Tabs

Selected works

FW12134 Dangal Pugai 5/60	FW12139 Cargo 5/60	FW12144 Amipuru 5/60
FW12390 Aka Uzu, the White Dogai A/P	FW13006 Beizan le 4/50	FW15340 Baidam (Tiger Shark) 13/50
FW15346 Koedal 3/45	FW15362 The Coming of Sagai	FW15366 Under the Surface (We are all the same)
FW15433 Kubar E (white on black) 2/35	FW15437 Kubar E (red on black) 6/35	FW15439 Kubar E (black on white) 8/50

Bio & CV

Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak)

Born: 1975 Yam Island QLD
Language: Iama Tribe
Region: Yam Island QLD

Glen has a distinguishable bold design style featuring wonderfully threadlike lines. He explains that he has been elected as Yam Island’s ‘official’ storyteller. Glen’s mission is to keep alive the sacred stories of the four brothers who travelled from the north before memory and settled at Zenadh Kes, or what most Australians know as the Central and Eastern Torres Strait Islands. In Glen’s works, art and law are combined heroically – the figures are woven into rhythmic patterns of design. Paintings, prints and sculpted objects by Glen are held in numerous private and public collections nationally.

Story/Statement

BAIDAM (TIGER SHARK)
This is the tiger shark hunting its favourite food, the waru (green turtle). If you see this take place in the ocean you’re very lucky as I’ve only witnessed it once. It’s like they’re dancing, with their swift manoeuvres through the water. I am trying to capture their movements in this image.

DOIOM (TURTLE & DUGONG STONE EFFIGIES)
DANGAL DOIOM (DUGONG STONE)
Before setting out on a hunt, men would rub dugong oil on the doiom (stone) to give them zogo (power) and good luck for the hunt. Instead of looking for the dangal (dugong), the dangal would come to them. The stone was always tied at the front of the canoe during the hunt.

KOEDAL (CROCODILE PLAY) - STORY OF WAGAEDAGAM
One cloudy night when there was scarcely any moonlight, some Kaigas Men (shovel-nosed shark totem) of Sipingur killed a crocodile by mistake while hunting for dugong. They took it to the people of Wagaedagam, who burst into tears upon seeing their dead totem, the koedal.They mourned it for many days afterwards. In shame, the Kaigas men of Sipingur vowed to make good their insult to the people of Wagaedagam. So, the Kaigas men canoed to Awailau, harpooned another crocodile, and examining it very carefully, hurriedly returned to Mabuiag, where they constructed a wonderfully large replica of Koedal (crocodile) in turtle shell, so big it could be slipped over a man’s head. When it was finished, the men of Sipingur presented it to Wagaedagam. The people of Wagaedagam dried their tears and danced with their Koedal mask.

KUBAR E (SKULL)
Skulls were the main trading currency used by Torres Strait Islander people with their Papua New Guinean neighbours. These trading skulls were acquired in battle and though raiding parties to other islands and Australian mainland. Longboats were the main trade items needed on islands where tall trees did not grow. Not all skulls were traded, some were used in ceremonies and rituals.

KURRS (HAMMERHEAD SHARK)
The Hammerhead Shark is my totem and my father’s totem and so we’re not allowed to hunt sharks. This print is about the hammerhead shark’s food sources and its enemies. Under the shark’s belly are the creatures that make up most of its diet - dugong, turtle and stingray, his favourite food. He also eats different kinds of fish. His enemies appear on his back, but his most feared enemy is the tiger shark. The 'S' shape of his body warns you not to come closer.

OUN I and III
Oun is the Miriam language word for stingray. It is the augud (totem) of my two daughters, inherited from their mother who is a native of Mer Island. Traditionally, we are not allowed to eat our augud.

THE COMING OF SIGAI
Many years ago, before the coming of the white man, four brothers (bala) named Malo, Sagai, Kulka and Siu made their way by canoe through the Torres Strait to the central and eastern islands from the northern tip of Kay Daol Dai (literally big land) or the northern tip of Cape York. Each was to establish and lead their own tribe, setting down law and creating the unique Torres Strait Islander culture which continues today.

Sagai, the second oldest brother of the hammerhead clan totem (kurr) stopped at Iama Island (known as Yam). Maiu, his wife from Tudu Island, came from the crocodile clan (kodal). Both islands share the same culture and customs today. Because of his great strength and wit, Sagai was elevated to the status of a god. He taught the young men to fight well and was rewarded by them with the heads of their enemies from warring islands.

In my print, the lead warrior is Sagai, followed by his brothers. The hammerhead shark and crocodile totems and round symbol of the hammerhead shark totem are represented.

Kulka was the second bala to leave the group, remaining at Aurid Island (Auree). He became the god of hunting, adopting the fish totem gai gai (Trevalley).

Siu, the third bala, went to Masig (Yorke Island) and became god of dancing. He adopted the tiger shark totem (baidam).

Malo, the eldest bala went to Mer (Murray Island) and became the god of religion and law, creating a strict set of rules, not unlike the ten commandments introduced in 1878 by missionaries (now celebrated as ‘the coming of the light’). These same rules were presented as evidence by Eddie Mabo to the Supreme Court in his now famous land rights case for his people. For this, Malo adopted as his totem sugu (the octopus).

THE CULT OF SIGAI AND MAIU (MAJOR TOTEMS)
There were once four brothers, Malu, Sigai, Kulka and Sau. Each of them was a powerful man, well-versed in magic.
Sigai went to Iama (Yam) Island. He took on the form of a Kurrs (Hammerhead shark) and became the God of War. Main is Sigai’s wife - she is the Kodal (Crocodile).

In this image you can see all the animals in the small clan on Iama Island, like the Sam (Cassowary), Umai (Dog), Ger (Sea Snake), Tabu (Snake), Gaynaw (Torres Strait Pigeon). All the small clans were under Sigai and Main.

My father was from the Kurrs Clan and the hammerhead shark is my augud (totem).

THE TWO BALA (THE TWO BROTHERS)
The story about the two bala is a very old one from Iama (Yam Island).
One day the big bala asked the small bala 'would you like to swim like a shark?' 'Yes, I would like to' he replied. So they jumped in the water, but as they did so, the big bala turned into a tiger shark and bit him, killing him instantly. His body was carried by the tide and turned into a big rock that sank to the bottom of the sea on the edge of the reef.

As his punishment, the older bala was forever a tiger shark.

So whenever you go to fish in that area, there’s always tiger sharks swimming around and you can still see the small bala at the edge of the reef.

UNDER THE SURFACE
Under the surface we are all the same though racism lurks everywhere.

Courtesy of the Artist & Editions Tremblay 2015

GLEN MACKIE(KEI KALAK)

Born: 1975 Thursday Island QLD
Language: Iama Tribe
Area: Yam Island

Glen has a distinguishable bold style featuring wonderfully threadlike lines. He explains that he has been elected as Yam Island’s ‘official’ storyteller. His mission is to keep alive the sacred stories of the four brothers who travelled from the north before memory and settled at Zenadh Kes, or what most Australians know as the Central and Eastern Torres Strait Islands. In Glen’s works, art and law are combined heroically – the figures are woven into rhythmic patterns of design. Paintings, prints and sculpted objects by Glen are held in many private collections throughout Northern Queensland.

EDUCATION

1995 Attended Banggu Minjaany Art & Culture Centre, Tropical North Queensland

1998-99 TAFE, ATSI Diploma of Visual Arts Course, taught by Anna Eglitis and mentored by Dennis Nona.

EXHIBITIONS—SOLO

2017 Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak) – Recent Works, Canopy Art Centre, Cairns
2015 The Coming of Sigai FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane

2011 Ngai Lamalaig (Me a Yam Islander): New Lino Prints by Glen Mackie, FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane
I am Kulkalgal UMI Cairns

2009 Glen Mackie Kei Kalak FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane

EXHIBITIONS—GROUP

2023 Morbid Curiosities FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane
The National 4: Australian Art Now Art Gallery of New South Wales (in collaboration with Theo Tremblay)

2021 Explore Sydney Contemporary – Paper (online), Sydney Contemporary Art Fair
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (online), Cairns
WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait, Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW
Reimagining: Between Tradition and Innovation, Cairns Art Gallery, Qld
Cairns Art Society 73rd Annual Exhibition, Cairns Art Gallery, Qld

2020 Black & White 2020 FireWorks Gallery Brisbane
Critical Mass: The Art of Planetary Health, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Gallery, Katoomba, NSW
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, online and exhibition at Tanks Arts Centre
From the Sea, Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane Qld
Between the Moon and the Stars, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (online), Cairns, Qld
Recent Prints, joint exhibition with Daniel O’Shane, Caffiend Cafe, Cairns
Shiver, Onespace Gallery, Brisbane

2019 Matches 6: Three clusters FireWorks Gallery Brisbane
Works by FNQ Indigenous Artists, Pullman Hotel, Cairns
Sydney Contemporary – Paper, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Carriageworks, Redfern, NSW
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), Cairns
Old Stories and New Narratives: Recent Indigenous Prints, for the 2nd Australian Print Triennial, Mildura, Vic.
Printing as Process, Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic.
Sydney Contemporary – Paper, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Carriageworks, Redfern, NSW
Inkfest, Inkmasters Biennial Exhibition, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Qld
Welcome TWO (Thompson Street) FireWorks Gallery Brisbane

2020 Black & White 2020 FireWorks Gallery Brisbane
From the Sea FireWorks Gallery Brisbane

2019 Matches 6: Three clusters FireWorks Gallery Brisbane
Shiver, Onespace Gallery, Brisbane

2018 Welcome TWO (Thompson Street) FireWorks Gallery Brisbane

2017/2018 Glen Mackie and Daniel O’Shane: A celebration of the work of two artists from the Torres Strait Islands, Art Gallery of New South Wales

2017 ARTNOW FNQ, Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns, Qld
Letters from Australia (joint exhibition with Glen Mackie and Theo Tremblay), National Library of Latvia, Riga
25th Mabo High Court Win Celebration, Gallery Gilimbaa, Brisbane
Partners in Print, with Sydney Printmakers, Janet Clayton Gallery, Sydney
Partners in Print, with Sydney Printmakers, KickArts Contemporary Arts, Cairns

2016 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory Darwin
secondnature Fireworks Gallery Brisbane
Gondwana’s Garden, Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
Thancoupie Bursary Fund, Fundraising exhibition, Canopy Art Centre, Cairns
Here and Now, Canopy Art Centre, Cairns
Tracing the Line, Blue Mountains City Art Gallery, Katoomba, NSW (in conjunction with Print Council of Australia)
ARTNOW FNQ, Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns
Pathways, touring exhibition curated by UMI Arts, Cairns (touring to a variety Australian locations)

2015 Mapping Memories, Tracking Visions, Bungendore Woodworks Gallery, NSW
Encounter/Northern Encounter, Impress Gallery, Brisbane
Encounter/Northern Encounter, Canopy Art Centre, Cairns
32nd Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, MAGNT, Darwin (Finalist)
Silk Cut Print Award, Melbourne (Finalist)
Canopy Art Centre at the Terminal, Cruise Liner Terminal, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Cairns
Mapping Memories, Reclaiming Culture: Stories from Far North Qld, Canopy Art Centre (Cairns Indigenous Art Fair)

2014 Indigenous Artists from Australia, Jeffrey Moose Gallery, Seattle, USA
International Print Exhibition (Australia & Japan), Kyoto, Japan

2013 30th Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, MAGNT, Darwin (Finalist)
Inside/Out: Mapping Spiritual Journeys, circa 1907 gallery, Cairns
Prints from the Torres Straits, Surry Hills Library, Sydney
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair exhibition, Canopy Art Centre, Cairns
Finalist (Works on Paper section), 30th Telstra Art Award, Museum of Arts & Sciences, Cairns

2012 Melbourne Art Fair (exhibited by FireWorks Gallery)
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (exhibition by FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane and Sundance Gallery, Port Douglas)
Where the Art Leads: New Explorations by Queensland Indigenous Artists Cairns Regional Gallery
Sense of Place Inkmasters Exhibition Canopy Artspace Cairns
Big Wet Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi Melbourne 2 2011 Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary Art of the Torres Strait Queensland Art Gallery Brisbane
Storyboat: Recent Works by Emerging Zenadh Kes (TSI) Artists Cairns Regional Gallery
The Printmakers Wood Works Gallery Bungadore
Inkmasters Cairns Inaugural Members Exhibition c.1907 Contemporary ArtSpace Cairns
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (exhibited by Sun Dance gallery, Port Douglas)
Pathways Umi Arts Cairns

2011 Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary Art of the Torres Strait Islands, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
Inkmasters Inaugural Members Exhibition, Cairns

2010 Lino prints from the Torres Strait FireWorks gallery Brisbane
Three Emerging Zenadh Kes Printmakers: Australian Aboriginal Artists from the Torres Straits Jeffrey Moose Gallery Seattle
CIAF (Cairns Indigenous Art Fair) Exhibited by Sun Dance Gallery, Port Douglas, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney and Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane.
Muiyiw Minaral (Spiritual markings) with George Nona & Billy Missi Hogarth Galleries Sydney
Our Family Our Way Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi Melbourne

2009 Zenadh Kes Au Gidhal (Torres Strait Islands Stories), Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Northern Mix Woolloongabba Art Gallery Brisbane

1999 Exhibition with Nino Sabatino at Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery, TNQ TAFE, Cairns, curated by Barbara Adams.

COMMISSIONS

2012 SBS Naidoc Week featuring Tagai-Star Constellation print
Choice Australia, wall and floor murals for The Culture Place Gallery/Restaurant Cairns

2011 Annual Print Commission, Print Council Australia

2010 Window decal project, Woodridge Medical Centre Brisbane

2008 TNQ TAFE mural commission, Pre-school Child Care Centre

2004 Yam Island Council mural commission, community centre - 'Kabusu'

2003 Queensland Health Commission mural for Health Clinic
Yam Island Council Community Store mural

AWARDS + PRIZES

2016 Finalist, Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Darwin
Finalist, National Works on Paper Award, Victoria
2015 Finalist, Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Darwin
Finalist, Silk Cut Print Award, Melbourne
2014 Finalist, Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Darwin
2nd Prize, Inkfest: Festival of Printmaking, for handpainted vinylcut, The Coming of Sigai; Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
2013 Arts Queensland Bursary to study printmaking with master printmaker Theo Tremblay

PUBLICATIONS

2016 Creative Types, Cairns Eye, article by Roz Pulley, 16/1/16
2015 Darwin – The Bigger Picture, review by Jeremy Eccles, Aboriginal Art Directory, 14/8/15
2015 Dilemma of difference in indigenous art award, article by Nicolas Rothwell, The Australian, 13/8/13
2012 SBS NAIDOC Week short films featuring Tagai-Star Constellation print
2011 The past returns to the surface, article by Nicolas Rothwell, The Australian, p.17 Arts, 17/11/11
Land, Sea & Sky – In and out of the Torres Strait, article by Jeremy Eccles, Aboriginal Art Directory, 6/7/11
2006 Gatherings II, Survey Publications, Arts Queensland, Keeaira Press, Brisbane
2002 Gatherings I, Survey Publications, Arts Queensland, Keeaira Press, Brisbane

COLLECTIONS

Artbank
Art Gallery of NSW
Art Gallery of South Australia
Art Vault, Mildura, Vic
Australian Museum
Ballarat Regional Gallery
Cairns Regional Gallery
Canson Australia
City of Fremantle, WA
Gallery of NSW
Kluge Ruhe Collection, University of Virginia, USA
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Victoria
National Museum of Australia
Parliament House Canberra
Print Council of Australia
Queensland Art Gallery
St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba, Qld
University of Queensland Art Museum
University of Woolongong NSW
+ private collections in Australia and international

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