The Ninth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

203 ESSAYS Always open to new influences, pop icon Madonna — whose music rang out from boom boxes and discos in north-east Arnhem Land in the 1980s — and her corset-like costumes inspired Rarru to make her ‘Madonna bras’: simply two small conical baskets bound together with a woven string harness. These days, the music is more likely to be by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (1971–2017), the revered Australian musician who grew up on nearby Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island). Erub (Darnley Island) is the furthest Australian territory to the north-east. In 1871, English and Kanak missionaries sailed across the Coral Sea from Lifou in the Pacific’s Loyalty Islands to introduce Christianity. The faith spread from Erub throughout the Torres Strait, and elaborate annual ceremonies mark the ‘Coming of the Light’, a melding of Christian and customary beliefs in contemporary island life. Many of the Lifou missionaries stayed on Erub and lost contact with their families; however, an emotional reunion in 2011 between distant relatives sparked new connections. The resulting project explores bloodlines, heritage and spiritual connections with the land and sea. Initiated on Lifou, the two groups drew around each other’s bodies using charcoal on lengths of paper, a process from which significant narratives and personal memories emerged. Back on Erub, the works were embellished by the Torres Strait Islander artists. The project sees its completion at GOMA, with Jimmy K Thaiday drawing directly onto the Gallery’s walls. These powerful drawings, presented for the first time in APT9, are testament to the ties that will forever connect Erub and Lifou. These practices reveal Australia’s island cultures to be far more than a fictionalised ideal. Lola Greeno continues Palawa traditions, while bringing attention to the environmental threats to our fragile marine ecology. Margaret Rarru and Helen Ganalmirriwuy make art in an ancient culture, more recently influenced by centuries-old trade routes, while artists from Erub and Lifou come together in observation of strong historical ties. Often working in environments characterised by isolation and significant external influences — both historical and contemporary — these artists use their geographical conditions and considerable creative talents to reveal elements of ‘paradise’ of their island lives. Diane Moon Endnote 1 In addition to Australian island-based artists, APT9 also includes: Mao Ishikawa (Okinawa), Kapulani Landgraf (Hawai’i), Martha Atienza (Bantayan Island), Tongan-Australian artist Latai Taumoepeau, the Jaki-ed Project from the Marshall Islands, Chris Charteris and the Tungaru: The Kiribati Project, and the Women’s Wealth project connecting women from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the Solomon Islands. Elena Ngulumay Gurrawurra (left) and Marietta Dalyurrngawy Garrawurra (right), Liyagawumirr people / Photograph: R Holmes