Badhu Habaka
Artist
Laurie Nona
(1975)
Date2016
Object number00054970
NamePrint
Mediumlinocut print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 1240 × 2182 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with funds from the Sid Faithfull and Christine Sadler program supporting Contemporary Indigenous Maritime Heritage in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands through the ANMM Foundation
DescriptionA linocut print on paper by Mura Badulgal artist Laurie Nona titled 'Badhu Habaka' telling the story of the artist's father towing his Uncle's broken down boat back to Badu Harbour.
The top of the work features a pearling helmet, the crown of men from the pearl diving era. Imagery on the helmet shows how the industry changed over the years and also depicts traditional cultural practices including song and dance composed about this story.
At the peak of the shell industry in the late 1950s, the Badu fleet of 13 boats employed a workforce of 200 men. This also provided work for men from other islands. However, once the shell trade declined, many people moved to the mainland for work.
History'Badhu Habaka' tells the story of the pearling industry on Badu Island/Badhulgaw Ngurpay Lag, west Torres Strait. The work is dedicated to Laurie Nona's father Philip Nona Senior - a respected elder of the industry. Intertwined within the print is the story of the artist's father that was composed in song and dance. The story tells of two brothers who were heading out at 4am on their pearling luggers. One brother's boat broke down, yet the other brother still went out to work in order to feed his family. He did not return until dark at which point he towed his brother back to Badu Harbour. The brother whose boat had broken down was annoyed at being left all day on the boat. The song expresses this frustration between the brothers.
Laurie Nona has spoken about how he sees his art and his role as a key community member (he is currently chair of the Native Title Board and elected local government councillor for Badu):
"I believe in today’s society we have to set our heart’s compass on this journey called life towards a destination, believing and trusting in the compass to guide us in reaching the destination we want in life. I would like to see our future young people be proud of our identity and know that as long as the warup (drum) is beating, our culture is still alive. In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
It is up to us to make sure our culture and religious values are maintained, respected and handed down to future generations. As we live in a multicultural society, may our diverse lifestyles be rewarding experiences in reaching and enriching others through the acceptance and appreciation of our many different artistic expressions. I believe my art work is a map of my life’s journey, encompassing all my life’s trails, failures, triumphs, loved ones and family.
Mina kima esso,
Thank you."
SignificanceThis work by Nona is significant in providing a contemporary piece of artwork to tell his families story and the history of the Nonas. Here life working the luggers through the Torres Straits intertwines with the traditional cultural practices
ogf Badu Island.
2012
