GTCC Exhibition travels to Hawaii

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Gab Titui Cultural Centre’s Zamiyakal Exhibition Travels to Hawai`i

For Immediate Release 27 November 2009


Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Headdresses and Dance Machines is a touring exhibition from Gab Titui Cultural Centre in the Torres Strait, currently exhibiting in Honolulu’s East West Center Gallery, Hawai`i.

Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris said today that the opportunity to exhibit at facilities like the East West Centre Gallery in Hawai`i provides a means for Torres Strait culture to gain international exposure and generate interest in our region.

“This is the first time an exhibition from Gab Titui on Thursday Island has travelled overseas.  It is the perfect opportunity to showcase this interactive exhibition, educate people from other countries about our traditional dance and apparatuses and share in the richness of our unique culture,” said Mr Kris.

“The Gab Titui staff were key in the concept design, implementation and international touring of the exhibition. It was through this that staff gained experience in the complexity of developing exhibitions to international standards and touring exhibitions internationally. Staff were also able to undertake gallery talks to over 30 students and academics about the exhibition, the role of Gab Titui Cultural Centre within the Torres Strait region and what projects and outcomes have been undertaken over the past five years of the Centre’s existence.”

“As part of Gab Titui’s Cultural Maintenance Program, the annual Ephraim Bani Gallery exhibition’s aim is to research, interpret, exhibit and preserve the culture, history and heritage of Torres Strait people,” said Mr Kris.

Michael Schuster, Ph.D., Curator at Honolulu’s East-West Center Gallery commented on what a remarkable experience it was to work with Gab Titui Cultural Centre. 

“The professionalism of the exhibition and staff have allowed for an excellent exhibition to be part of the East West Center program. The uniqueness of Torres Strait dance has been effectively captured in the Zamiyakal exhibition. Being such a remote Centre and overcoming the hardships associated with this, Gab Titui Cultural Centre should be proud of such a professional exhibition, as we at the East West Center are extremely fortunate to have developed this partnership with Gab Titui. We have had a lot of positive response about the exhibition and interest in the region’s cultural heritage,” said Dr Schuster.

Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Headdresses and Dance Machines, the Ephraim Bani Gallery’s most recent exhibition, showcases zamiyak designs from various Torres Strait Island communities; highlights the importance of dance in Torres Strait culture; the use of zamiyak in performances; as well as the talent and workmanship of zamiyak makers.

The Gala Opening for Zamiyakal was held at the East West Centre in Hawaii on Sunday 8 November 2009. Over 70 people attended the opening event, with more than 5000 visitors expected to view Zamiyakal during the course of the exhibition.

Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Headdresses and Dance Machines is on display at the East-West Center from 1 November 2009 until 3 January 2010.

A catalogue containing photographs of the exhibition and associated text will be available for purchase at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre from mid December 2009.

Further information relating to the Zamiyakal exhibition can be obtained from the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Telephone No. (07) 4090 2130. 



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TSRA Media Contact: Emma Loban (07) 4090 2130



 



 
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