Maza Mawa (Wapiya) 1

Artist Alick Tipoti (1975)

Date2011

Object number00055478

NameSculpture

MediumFibreglass, resin, plastic, synthetic chord, synthetic rope, monofilament fishing line, wood, organic material, paint

DimensionsOverall: 940 × 720 × 300 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Alick Tipoti

Terms

DescriptionA mawa (mask) by Alick Tipoti titled 'Maza Mawa (Wapiya) 1'. The mawa’s framework is made out of fiberglass simulating tortoise shell with a fibre headdress and ornaments made out of beads and feathers. This mawa tells a story about the male spiritual ancestors going out on the reef to spear fish. The face in the middle is the storyteller and the sharp ends on both sides of the mask represent the fish tail. The cut out wavy edges are the 'kaydheral', ripples on the sea created by a slight breeze.HistoryAlick Tipoti is guided in his work by the traditional cultural practices of his people, he sees his responsibility to document the stories, genealogies, songs, and other aspects of his culture so that it is available for future generations to learn, understand and practice. Tipoti is now a senior cultural leader of Zenadh Kes in addition to being an influential contemporary artist. He ensures strong traditional language is embedded in everything he does and is one of few holders of traditional song and dance attached to the stories of his ancestors. Given the traditional name Zugub, Tipoti is able to relate to the spirits of his ancestors, the Zugubal. This provides him the insight to translate their words through his art and his dance. SignificanceThis mawa provides a contemporary view of the traditional cultural practices of masks and mask making in Zenadh Kes culture. Alick Tipoti researches the old masks in collections overseas and re-interprets them through his own knowledge and art practice. The stories remain the same but the masks have changed a little as it would be culturally inappropriate for the artist to copy the old ones. There are stories, song, language and dance attached to this mask.