My name is Alick Tipoti. I'm from ____ that is Badu Island here in Zenadth Kes, the Torres Strait. To my elders, I am known as Zugub. Zugub is a name for a spiritual ancestor. My totem is the Koedal, the crocodile. So I am the Koedal.
I'm a modern figure today. Alick Tipoti is a modern figure. However, my practice when it comes to mask making especially, is binded by cultural protocol. I'm using modern materials, however, I do not exploit the protocols that are in place. when we are using, creating and/or using these apparatuses, I guess.
So my art practices that I've mastered over the years range from making traditional costumes, dance apparatuses, headdresses, we call _____, and then I do a bit of painting on canvas and paper, and then there's the lino carving and printing. I also do a lot of wood carving and rock carving, but out of all of those practices, my favourite is the fiberglassing. Simply because it's the best method, I believe, for me to try and achieve that turtle shell effect, because it has that, you know, transparent effect when I apply different stains to it and that sort of guided me along mask making, simply because I wanted to make people think that I made them out of turtle shell.
In saying that it is against protocol, cultural protocol for us to catch turtles specifically to make a living out of it, in terms of to commercialise and sell it as art. So therefore I substituted the turtle shell with fiberglass and it's taken me a long way. I enjoy that space simply because I believe I'm in a unique position to continue to practice fiberglassing, making effect of turtle shell.
What I want viewers to take away after seeing my work is to appreciate and understand that my culture is not a dying culture. It's a living culture. As we continue to, preserve our art practice. The core of our culture, or any culture is the language. Yes maybe one day the language will fade. However, the practical side of art will continue. That fire will continue to burn.
