359709482227367

Published by on



Women in the Pearling Days

This artwork portrays women’s perspective of their duties, roles and responsibilities in the Pearling Days. Back in those days, the men worked hard labour on pearling lugger boats while the women stayed back on the island to maintain the house and look after the children. Sometimes the men were gone for four to six months at a time, out on the sea. Back then, they had no power, they had to use lamps and candles for light and they did their cooking on the outdoor fire. When the men went out to sea, the women made baskets, tended gardens, and gathered food from the land and sea. It was also the new era of Christianity, so every time the food was gathered, it was blessed, and the family went to church every Sunday. All the images that are used in this artwork display the beauty, and unique nature of this family orientated home environment. The flowers show the beauty of women and the island, the outdoor fire cooking shows the important role of the women in maintaining the house and caring for the children. The bible and cross symbolise going to church on Sundays, and as a reminder of a faith and belief in a God that took care of the men that were out at sea working. Encompassing and holding all these aspects of the Pearling Days is the basket. The basket illustrates the strength of the women who carried the load and took on the everyday life tasks and skills to care for their home and family.

 

Art Centre notes:  (black and white) lino print, printed on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag with strong archival properties).

Categories: Moa Arts

Name: Paula Savage


Language: Kala Lagaw Ya, Creole


Community: Kubin


Biography:

My name is Paula Savage, I'm from Kubin Community Moa Island in the near western cluster of islands in the Torres Strait. I was born here on Moa Island and am a resident in the community.

I come from the Serganilgal clan group from the village of Dabu on Moa Island, and the Kaurareg Nation of Muralag and Kiriri. 

Art was my interest from such a young age and during high school I studied visual arts and commercial arts.

After leaving school I pursued other job careers, in early 2017 I became a member of Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Art Centre (Moa Arts) in Kubin Community to take up my passion for visual arts again.

A lot of my interest in art is in weaving, lino printing, tie-dying, fabric printing, drawing, carving, and jewellery making.

My artworks are based on my cultural heritage, stories in traditional knowledge, techniques and styles and also, I like to express my art based on our everyday lifestyle which we still today practice, our cultural laws and customs.   


© the artist / art centre