Alick Tipoti

Alick Tipoti (born 1975), whose traditional name is Zugub, is a Torres Strait Islander artist, linguist, and activist of the Kala Lagaw Ya people, from Badu Island, in the Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait). His work includes painting, installations, printmaking, sculpture and mask-making, and is focused on preserving the culture and languages of his people.

Early life and education Tipoti was born in 1975 on Thursday Island and grew up on Badu Island (aka Mulgrave Island); he also has connections with Mabuiag Island. and Alick developed an interest in art as a child. He was given the traditional name of Zugub in order to link him to the spirits of his ancestors, the Zugubal. in 1992 (Design and Art Australia Online source says 1994, but this seems less likely for a BA.)

He lives and works mostly in Cairns.

Activism Tipoti has been active in informing the public about the dangers of the climate change crisis in the Torres Strait, as well as plastic pollution in the ocean. His exhibit for the Taba Naba - Australia, Oceania, Arts of the Sea People which began at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 2016

In 2021, the full-length documentary film Alick and Albert, by Brisbane film producer Trish Lake It includes stories of the Badulgal people of Badu Island as well as the Monégasque people of Monaco, who are concerned about climate change and the future of the oceans. Most of the filming was able to be done before the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21 restricted people's movements. The film had its world premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival in October 2021.

Recognition and awards Tipoti has been honoured with a number of awards, starting when he was a student and in his early career. He was named as Townsville Pimlico TAFE College's Art Student of the Year in 1993, and Australian Capital Territory Scholar of the Year after his studies at ANU in 1997. In 1998 he won the Lin Onus Youth Prize in the 4th edition of the National Indigenous Heritage Art Award. 2003: 20th edition, Works on Paper 2007: 24th edition, Works on Paper 2008: 25th edition, People's Choice Award 2014: 31st edition, 3D Category, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin 2001: Fremantle Print Award, Non-Acquisitive Prize 2008: Fremantle Print Award, Non-Acquisitive Prize 2011: ACCELERATE Indigenous Leadership Award, awarded by the British Council and Australia Council 2012: Deadly Awards, Visual Artist of the Year Finalist 2021: Australians Screen Industry Network Awards, Best Documentary, for Alick and Albert 2021: 19th International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival (FIFO), Special Jury Prize, for Alick and Albert

Exhibitions His work has been included in many group exhibitions, including: 2012: UnDisclosed: 2nd National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia 2012: 18th Biennale of Sydney

His solo exhibitions include: Arts Centre Melbourne Australian Museum, Sydney British Museum, London Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns Cambridge University Museum, UK Canberra School of Arts, Australian National University Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Surfers Paradise Griffith University, Brisbane University of Melbourne, Melbourne Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Noumea, New Caledonia Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, University of Virginia, US Musée des Confluences, Lyon, France Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney National Gallery of Australia, Canberra National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne National Museum of Australia, Canberra Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Torres Strait Regional Authority, Thursday Island Parliament House, Canberra Parliament House, Wellington, New Zealand

Films Zugub, the mask, the spirits and the stars (2012) Alick and Albert (2021)

Footnotes