Ken Thaiday Snr, Eastern Island Dhari with hammerhead shark headdress, 2012 plywood, feathers, paint and plastic 114 x 27 x 83 cm Collection: the artist Photography: Michael Marzik
Ken Thaiday Snr, Fish trap, c.1990 plywood, wood, paint, feathers, stones, nylon fishing line, wax and PVC plastic 64 x 105 x 96 cm (irreg.) Collection: Proost De Deyne, Queensland Photography: Michael Marzik
Ken Thaiday Snr, Beizam, 2001 black bamboo, plywood, nylon line, plastic, paint and feathers 101 x 116 x 65 cm (irreg.) Commissioned with funds from the Centenary of Federation Arts Project, Queensland Grant, 2001 Collection: Cairns Regional Gallery
Ken Thaiday Snr, Frigatebird, 2001 plywood, resin, nylon line, paint, wood and elastic 110 x 65 x 90 cm Collection: Proost De Deyne, Queensland Photography: Michael Marzik
Ken Thaiday Snr, Hammerhead shark headdress with bait fish, 1995 plywood, paint, feathers, string and plastic 71.5 x 85 x 52 cm (irreg.) Collection: Queensland Government Department for Housing and Public Works Photography: Michael Marzik
Ken Thaiday Snr: Erub Kebe Le, the first-ever major survey exhibition of works by internationally recognised senior Torres Strait Island artist Ken Thaiday Snr, brings together thirty-six sculptural pieces created by Thaiday over the past thirty years.
Thaiday’s articulated dance headdresses and other ‘mobilised artefacts’, with their inventive integration of traditional and non-traditional materials, have attracted worldwide attention, not only as deeply significant cultural objects, but also as remarkable works of contemporary art.
Thaiday has recently taken his practice into new territory. In response to a commission from the Gallery, and working with Sydney artist Jason Christopher, Ken Thaiday produced his first automated dance artwork in aluminium for the exhibition.