Ken Thaiday’s intricate and beautiful headdresses are representative of the lifestyle and landscape of the Torres Strait Islander people. They loom magnificently in the cavernous Carriageworks space and entice, surprise and fascinate with their detailed construction.
The pieces serve two purposes, decorative and practical. They are designed to be worn in traditional performances and include pulleys and strings that can be used to enhance the dance interwoven with the display.
Each is a delicately created work of art with special significance. The colours, textures and materials are carefully chosen and fabricated to represent important aspects of Torres Strait Islander culture. For example, one represents a hammerhead shark, which has totemic resonance for the Thaiday family.
This is an exhibition which is unique in scope and stylistically intriguing. For the viewer it is a glimpse into a society which is little known to mainstream Australia. (LR)
Until Nov 23, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh, free, carriageworks.com.au
