Wadh, Zigin, Ar Kusikus
Artist
Alick Tipoti
(1975)
Date2005
Object number00055479
NameLinoprint
MediumInk on paper.
DimensionsOverall: 1240 × 2010 mm
Copyright© Alick Tipoti
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Alick Tipoti
DescriptionLinoprint made by artist Alick Tipoti that depicts the Ancestral Legend of Wadth, Zigin Ar Kusikus, the story of Dthuwal and his sons.
In Tipoti’s classical intricate patterns, the print contains a vast array of imagery to represent the story all together in one singular panel with many scenes presented at the same time.
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.
In this intricate print, Tipoti tells the story of Dthuwal's three sons - Wadth, Zigin and Kusikus (who later was to be called Pasuwa). The story was told to Tipoti by his father, Leniaso Tipoti (Argan Besai) and is relayed here in different turning points in the tale, like chapters.
Dthuwal and his sons
Initiation Preparation (The sons reach manhood and await the ceremony with Meseku the witchdoctor)
Kusikus Escapes (The youngest son defies his father Dthuwal and runs away)
Kusikis's Journey (He has some near death encounters with sea creatures and makes a mask from turtle shell)
Dthuwal Searches for Kusikus (Dthuwal calls on his ancestor spirits to guide him to Kusikis)
Kusikus's Death (Kusikus is killed in a trap set by a Maidthalaig/witch doctor)
Thabuthir (Zgin's pet snake)
Initiation at Dthuwal Buthu (Wadh and Zigin receive their scars of manhood and spirit guards)
Wadh and Zigin (The brothers hunt turtles together but Zigin gives up)
Zigin and the Spirits (Zigin becomes obsessed with the warup and singing with the spirits)
Solal (Wadh becomes a champion turtle hunter. He gives Zigin the low quality meat, as he does not help)
Zigin's Jealousy (Zigin tries to use the spirits against Wadh but dies of hunger instead)
SignificanceAlick Tipoti is one of the most important Zenadh Kes artists of his generation and highly respected for his work in regenerating cultural knowledge, practices and language through his art, guided by the traditional cultural practices of his people. Tipoti’s diverse storytelling encompasses traditional cosmology, marine environment and ocean conservation and at the essence, what it is to be a sea person.
