Piwi Pukan Wapi Sagul Au Thonar (it is time for Piwi the flying fish to come out to play)

Patrick Thaiday (b. 1963 Kulkalgaw Ya people) focuses on designing and building zamiyakal, or ‘dance machines’ designed for use in dance ceremonies. Dance is a primary form of artistic expression in the Torres Strait Islands, and zamiyakal are designed to complement the movements of dancers and assist in the explanation of the important stories told through dance, accompanied by singing and drumming. They are articulated through the dancers manipulating a system of string pulleys and moving joints to animate their narratives. Piwi Pukan Wapi Sagul Au Thonar translates to it is time for Piwi the flying fish to come out to play. This machine playfully represents flying fish taking advantage of seasonal winds and prevailing weather conditions to assist their flight off the crest of waves, seemingly in pursuit of playful enjoyment.