YESSIE MOSBYMASIG-GIU

31 May - 24 June 2012

© Martin Browne Contemporary© All images copyright Yessie Mosby

This catalogue is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

COMPILERS: Electra FoleyPHOTOGRAPHY: Jenni CarterCOLOUR SEPARATIONS: Spitting Image, SydneyPRINTING: Southern Colour, Sydney

Cover Image: Warfare Dhoeri, 2012, rainbow pigeon feathers, sea hawk feathers, white turkey feathers, crocodile tooth, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 63 x 48 x 15 cm

LIST OF WORKS

Sorcery Dhoeri, 2011, Torres Strait pigeon feathers, rainbow pigeon feathers, white turkey feathers, curlew skull, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibers, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 68 x 56 x 15 cm

Initiation Dhoeri, 2012, ground pigeon feathers, white turkey feathers, cockatoo feathers, sea hawk feathers, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 60 x 50 x 15 cm

Warfare Dhoeri, 2012, cockatoo feathers, cassowary feathers, sea hawk feathers, white turkey feathers, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 70 x 48 x 15 cm

Puberty Dhoeri, 2012, cassowary feathers, sea hawk feathers (lower feathers), white turkey feathers, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 56 x 52 x 15 cm

Initiation Dhoeri, 2012, sea hawk feathers, cassowary feathers, white turkey feathers, pipi shells, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 64 x 51 x 15 cm

Puberty Dhoeri, 2012, sea hawk feathers (lower feathers), white turkey feathers, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 58 x 48 x 15 cm

Warfare Dhoeri, 2012, rainbow pigeon feathers, sea hawk feathers, white turkey feathers, crocodile tooth, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 63 x 48 x 15 cm

“All seven of the Dhoeris are used for a ceremony in which young boys are initiated into manhood. This ceremony is when they have their first shave by their WADUWAM (mother’s brother) who makes an initial mark on the side of the boy’s face which symbolises this rite of passage. All the patterns on the frames represent a bird, the KUZI (sea hawk). That bird was said to take the boys away from their home and give them strength so they can be strong. The zigzag line represents shark teeth. It’s the teeth of the god of Masig Island, who came in the form of a black shark. The seeds in the center of the head dress are called WADA and represent the LOR (law) of the land, which was given by SAU (the god of Masig before the coming of the light). The yellow feather is from a cockatoo and represents the changing from old to new. The other feathers are of the sea hawk, representing strength, and the cassowary, representing war. The crocodile teeth represent power and patience. All of the Dhoeris are of different designs and the patterns represent the different clan groups of Masig Island.”

Yessie Mosby, May 2012

Sorcery Dhoeri, 2011Torres Strait pigeon feathers, rainbow pigeon feathers, white turkey feathers, curlew skull, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibers, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye68 x 56 x 15 cm

Initiation Dhoeri, 2012Ground pigeon feathers, white turkey feathers, cockatoo feathers, sea hawk feathers, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 60 x 50 x 15 cm

Warfare Dhoeri, 2012Cockatoo feathers, cassowary feathers, sea hawk feathers, white turkey feathers, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye70 x 48 x 15 cm

Puberty Dhoeri, 2012Cassowary feathers, sea hawk feathers (lower feathers), white turkey feathers, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye, 56 x 52 x 15 cm

Initiation Dhoeri, 2012Sea hawk feathers, cassowary feathers, white turkey feathers, pipi shells, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye64 x 51 x 15 cm

Puberty Dhoeri, 2012Sea hawk feathers (lower feathers), white turkey feathers, wada seed, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye58 x 48 x 15 cm

Warfare Dhoeri, 2012Rainbow pigeon feathers, sea hawk feathers, white turkey feathers, crocodile tooth, wada seed, pipi shells, bamboo, twine, grass fibres, beeswax, natural ochres and mangrove dye 63 x 48 x 15 cm