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Dennis Nona
Born: 1973
Language Group: Badu Island
Dennis was born in 1973 on Badu Island. Diving for crayfish was the only industry on the island, and it was from this that many islanders earned their living. There was nobody to teach additional art, except dancing, and legends were told. After school on Badu and Thursday Island Dennis decided to go to Cairns to complete years 11 and 12. It was here that he found information on Torres Strait Island Art and he begun to interpret his cultural stories through illustrations.
Dennis felt strongly that he should retain his culture through his art. He was encouraged to study further, completing an Associate Diploma at Cairns TAFE and a Diploma of Visual Arts in printmaking at the Institute of the Arts, Australian National University, Canberra.
Dennis says of his work; "I got interested in using symbols of sea creatures, masks and designs which were influenced by coastal Papuan Art, trading items such as drums with traditional designs carved on them… My ancestors are from Papua New Guinea through my father’s side)."
2007 Winner Main Prize 24th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award.
