Reef Turtle

Artist Brian Robinson (1973)

Date1995

Object number00032101

NameLinocut

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsImage: 385 x 250 mm
Overall: 565 x 300 mm
Sheet: 565 x 300 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA black and white lino cut print by Brian Robinson. It shows a reef turtle in the centre of a patterned background. Marine turtles are an essential element of Torres Strait Islander living maritime culture. The activities associated with the hunting of turtles and the preparation and sharing of the meat has great significance and is an expression of the continuance of long cultural traditions.HistoryArtist's statement: "The Islanders knowledge of the habits of the many forms of, marine life in the Straits waters and their highly developed skills of hunting and fishing have always assured them of a ready supply of seafood. Their knowledge of the islands and reefs, weather, tides, currents and celestial navigation was superb. Waru Green Turtles are hunted throughout the Strait; and females were preferred. Sometimes they are caught on beaches, after they had finished laying their eggs in the sand. Generally however, they were caught from dinghies. The hunters use either the wap harpoon [mainly in the Western and Central Islands] or single-pronged spears [in the Eastern Islands]. The best time for hunting turtle is towards the end of the year during the mating season, when the turtles are often found floating lazily near the surface of the water, above the reefs. A time when the star constellation of Tagai appears, a celestial figure who marks major social and seasonal change for the Torres Strait Islander people. If the hunters are able to get close enough to the turtle, one hunter will jump overboard and grasping the neck and tail-end of the animal, will turn it over on its back. Others would then help haul it aboard with ropes. If the turtle is harpooned or speared, the men in the canoe will follow the rope, which is attached to the weapon, and when close enough, will jump into the water to retrieve the animal. Traditional methods of hunting and fishing have changed very little from early times to the present day, although nowadays dinghies and motorboats are used in place of canoes and modern fishing equipment has replaced the bamboo spears and turtle-shell fish hooks." - Brian Robinson triebSTUDIO SignificanceBrian Robinson is a contemporary artist whose practice combines his Indigenous heritage (Torres Strait Islander and Cape York Aboriginal) with current arts practice.