24 AT035
Alick Tipoti Zug Ngurpik 2006
Linocut 1000x2100mm image, 1080x2185mm paper $6750
Zug Ngurpik is a phrase used to describe a hunter who has trained his shoulder, to throw a Dagul (Spear) or
Wap (Harpoon) in order to bring home a large catch from the Sea. Zug Ngurpik tanslates literally to _Shoulder
Learning_.

In my culture the Awadhe (Uncle) of the mother's side, is more imporant and well respected by the Wadhuwam
(nephew) than that of the father. Reason being of the bloodline. After a young boy has his first initiation, called
the Ubu Pathai (first shave), he is no longer under the care of his parents. He is traditionally handed over to his
Awadhe of the mother's side. The Awadhe's role is to teach and educate him in the traditional ways of the
Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait) people, and to equip with the skills to hunt and survive on the land and most
importantly out at sea.

This print shows how it was practised traditionally before any European contact in the Zenadh Kes. I show the
Awadhe instructing his Wadhuwam how to read the actions of the Dhangal (Dugong). Awadhe's verbal
instructions tell of the Dhangal surfacing three times before diving down deep to feed in rough seas.

As a student of his Awadhe, the Wadhuwam will see only a few of his many prey. These are the Dhangalal
(dugongs), Warul (turtles), and Wapil (fishes). Awadhe and Wadhuwam communicate with their ancestors'
spirits from the past. These spirits help direct the prey to the young hunter.

When the Wadhuwam returns to his island after completing his instruction at sea, the elders of the village
gather as the ceremony begins. A sacred dance was performed by certain members of his Baui (tribe). These
dancers represented certain totems. Later a Sibuy (skull) of the Wadhuwam's totem, along with specific
traditional hunting weapons and materials such as the Wap (harpoon), Amu (rope), Kuyurul (darts attached to
the wap) are presented to him by the dancers. At this very moment, as the Wadhuwam sits before the dancers,
he is blessed by the spirits of his ancestors who were once powerful hunters, long before his time.

The Susu Apu (mother) must only watch her son from a distance as her memory takes her back to when he was
a Mepath (infant), and who has now transformed into the Malu Garka (seaman/hunter).

(Copyright. The artist and The Australian Art Print Network)

Edition Size: 35
Medium: Linocut
Block Created: N / A, N/A on January, 2006
Published: Cairns, QLD on January, 2007
Printer: Theo Tremblay
Studio: Editions Tremblay NFP Paper: Hahnemuhle
Orientation: Landscape
Paper Height: 1,080 mm ( 42.5" )
Paper Width: 2,185 mm ( 86.0" )
Image Height: 1,000 mm ( 39.4" )
Image Width: 2,100 mm ( 82.7" )