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Waru

Waru (sea turtle) is an important totem for Torres Strait people.

When the little brown jelly fish come down from the estuaries like a brown river thousands of turtles gather to feast on them. We don’t hunt the waru then because their intestines will be filled with jellyfish and they’re no good to eat.

When we do hunt waru we do it at particular times and places. We only catch the turtles that are on the reef.

As I worked on this piece I was also imagining all of the babies hatching on the sand and making their way to the sea to find their mothers.

I’ve watched my uncles carving and painting since I was a young fella. I began by carving wood and then turned to pearl shell before starting on lino. I love working in all mediums and telling the stories of my country.