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First Nations

This Place: Artist Series – Ken Thaiday Sr

Published 24 February 2020

Ken Thaiday Snr. is a Torres Strait Island artist renowned for his dance headdresses. Inspired by Darnley island culture, these artworks are often larger than life and mobile. Join him as he prepares to ride his latest creation – a 6-meter-long hammerhead shark totem.

This Place: Artists Series aired on ABC in 2020. Commissioned by the ABC, this short documentary series features five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from the national collection, looking at their connection to Country and how it inspires their art and identity as they take us to the places across Australia where their art making began. With thanks to Wesfarmers Arts.


Featured Works of Art


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Judy Watson ‘Canyon’

Published 2016

National Gallery announces $33m contribution to the Canberra economy

Ken Thaiday Snr., Meriam Mer people

Hammerhead shark mask
1997

Exhibition

Canbrart
A Selection of Works by Artists from the ACT and Districts

21 Jul 1990- 19 Aug 1990

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Rex Greeno 'Paperbark canoe'

Video still of a canoe artwork.

Published 2014

Ken Thaiday Snr., Meriam Mer people

Beizam [shark] dance mask
1991

Art & Artists


Referenced

Ken Thaiday Snr., Meriam Mer people

Hammerhead shark mask
1997

Ken Thaiday Snr., Meriam Mer people

Beizam [shark] dance mask
1991

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