Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai

17 July - 3 October 2027

Gallery 2.2 | Free

Billy Missi, Untitled | Constellation and Kinship, 2009, vinylcut printed in black ink from one block, 990 x 645mm (print matrix). Courtesy of NorthSite Contemporary Arts and Billy Missi Estate. © Billy Missi | Copyright Agency, 2024
Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai brings together over fifty of the artist’s most significant and iconic prints, including rare and never-before-exhibited monoprints, etchings, and linoprints from Djumbunji Fine Art Press and private collections. Curated by Dr Russell Milledge, this retrospective was developed in close consultation with the Billy Missi Estate, family members and friends, highlighting Missi’s critical role in the emergence of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) printmaking as a contemporary art form.

The Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai exhibition honours Missi’s artistic legacy and his dedication to maintaining the language and culture of his people. The bilingual exhibition features diverse forms of printmaking and a film, presenting an immersive experience into contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture and customs. Audiences will gain a deep appreciation for Missi’s work, reflecting his way of life, traditions, and enduring legacy.

About the Artist

Born on Mabuiag Island, Missi was deeply influenced by the storytelling, song, and dance traditions of his Wagadagam Tribe. Beginning in earnest in the 1990s, his artistic journey combined traditional carving techniques with modern linocut methods, creating a unique aesthetic that earned international recognition before his passing in 2012.

Image: Billy Missi, Untitled | Constellation and Kinship, 2009, vinylcut printed in black ink from one block, 990 x 645mm (print matrix). Courtesy of NorthSite Contemporary Arts and Billy Missi Estate. © Billy Missi | Copyright Agency, 2024

Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai is an exhibition developed by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (Gimuy/Cairns) and touring Australia in partnership with Gab Titui Cultural Centre/Torres Strait Regional Authority (Waiben/Thursday Island) and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program

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