Title

Sesserae: The works of Dennis Nona.

Collective title

Griffith Artworks travelling exhibition

Venues

KickArts Contemporary Arts. (19 November 2005)

Dell Gallery @ QCA (3 June 2005 – 10 July 2005)

Rockhampton City Art Gallery (31 March 2006 – 23 April 2006)

Port Macquarie Hastings Regional Gallery (24 July 2006 – 29 August 2006)

Cairns Regional Gallery (27 October 2006 – 3 December 2006)

Cooloola Shire Public Gallery. (13 December 2006 – 14 January 2007)

Logan Art Gallery (3 July 2007 – 4 August 2007)

Australian Catholic University Gallery [2] (15 August 2007 – 3 October 2007)

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery. (11 October 2007 – 10 November 2007)

ANU School Of Art Gallery (15 May 2008 – 7 June 2008)

Caloundra Regional Art Gallery (5 December 2008 – 18 January 2008)

Date

(2005 – 2008)

Summary

Single-artist travelling exhibition. Located: Australia (QLD). Prints

Curator

Simon Wright

Documentation

Invitation; Catalogue

Country of context

Australia

Abstract

Sesserae is devoted solely to the work of Dennis Nona and features over 60 works from 1991 - 2005.

Dennis was born on Badu (Mulgrave Island) where he learned traditional wood carving. His exploration and skill in the medium of linocut prints subsequently developed a contemporary visual expression for a unique tradition of Torres Strait Islander culture, defining the means to retell the great stories of the Torres Strait Islanders.

The centrepiece of the exhibition Sesserae relates the epic ancestral story of a willy-wagtail bird on Badu Island, a narrative that goes to the heart of the importance of story-telling as a way of cultural survival. The story reveals rich and intricate details of community, social and cultural significance, including the application and transfer of knowledge about constellations, weather patterns and animal behaviours, to food sourcing and preparation, and application of customary laws.

Dennis has become an important ambassador for contemporary art of the Torres Strait Islands, and his work is beginning to attract international attention. He is now regarded as among the highest exponents of linocut printmaking in Australia.

Sesserae is organised by Dell Gallery, Griffith University. Support for the exhibition and publication project gratefully acknowledged from Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency [QIAMEA]. Generous support also received from Torres Strait Regional Authority and Badu Island Council and from the Australian Art Print Network, Sydney. The project is greatly indebted to assistance from John Graham, Helena Gulash, Avril Quaill, Vic McGrath, Solomon Ahmat, Toshi Kris, Peo Ahmat, Leilani Bin Juda, Dr Bruno David, Mike and Di Kershaw, Kerry Williams, Adrian Newstead, Theo Tremblay, Erik Roberts, Dennis and Bethyl.  [Gallery media, 2006]