In this interview, artist Gail Mabo takes you behind her new artwork Tagai, sharing the story of its creation, the significance of the constellation Tagai in the islands of the Torres Strait, and its powerful connections to her father, the community leader and land rights advocate Eddie Koiki Mabo.
Tagai was commissioned for the Under the stars exhibition, an exploration of stargazing and mapping by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Lesson suggestions include:
What do Torres Strait Islander People use to make maps?
What do Torres Strait Islander People call the star formation including the Southern Cross constellation?
How did Gail Mabo make the stars in her artwork?
What is this artwork TAGAI about? Describe the Artist’s story and description of the artwork.
Many of these resources and activities have been developed in consultation with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to ensure that the program meets NSW curriculum outcomes for Stages 3, 4 & 5.
Reconciliation NSW aims to create a reconciled, just and equitable community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. We work to inform, support and inspire people to engage in reconciliation.
E: schools@reconciliationnsw.org.au
T: 02 8095 9600
Ground Floor 27 Cope St Redfern 2016
