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Stanley Laifoo Takes Out Gab Titui People’s Choice Award

Stanley Laifoo takes out Gab Titui People's Choice Award

Stanley Laifoo, of Waiben and Mua in the Torres Strait, has been named the winner of the People’s Choice Award for his entry in the 2018 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award.

More than 4000 community members and visitors voted to decide the award, which recognises works most favoured by the public in the annual exhibition.

Mr Laifoo’s painting, Two Sharks, depicts the significance of sea creatures and the marine environment to Torres Strait Islanders and has been described by the public as ‘strikingly beautiful’ and ‘serene’.

Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, congratulated Mr Laifoo on his achievement.

“As Gab Titui’s major annual exhibition, the Indigenous Art Award attracts visitors from across the globe,” Mr Stephen said.

“It speaks to the skill of the artist that Mr Laifoo’s work appealed to such a broad audience, while drawing attention to the marine environment that is so close to the heart of our people.”

The 2018 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award opened on 26 July, showcasing 52 works from 18 remote communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.

Winners in nine categories were announced on the opening night; as winner of the 10th category – the People’s Choice Award – Mr Laifoo will receive $2,500 in prize money.