My name is Eddie Nona and I'm from Badu Island, my birthplace is Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. My language group is called kala-lagau-ya from the western part of Torres Strait and my totems are Umai (dog) from my Mothers side and Tituhur tubu (red snake) from my fathers. I was fortunate to be adopted, it was through a cultural exercise that was called Ilan adoption. Both my birth parents and adopted parents are from Badu Island. My adopted family was living on Thursday Island, so because of this I was fortunate enough to complete my schooling, as the only high school in the Torres Straits was situated on Thursday Island.
Growing up I travelled between Thursday Island and Badu Island and I learnt from a young age the importance of the sea to my people. I always had a fascination with the ocean and started diving at an early age. Over the years I have worked diving throughout the colourful, yet treacherous waters of the Torres Strait. No matter where I am I always hold the sea and its underwater world close to my heart.
The colours that I use in my paintings are a reflection of how I feel about life beneath the sea and all it's wonderful marine life that it engulfs in it. I am not particular about the accuracy of the colours in relation to reality, but more so how the animals and plants make me feel. It is no concern to me as to the actual beauty of an object, because my love and connection to the ocean out weighs all else, so I paint it as I feel it.
Personally I can think of nothing better than the feeling of rippling water and the strength of the tide rushing over my body. Even though I am now living in the city, I still know that any time I want the memories to come rushing back, I simply close my eyes and I can feel and see everything that is so important to me. It is for this reason that I hope to capture my Dreams through painting, so that others can have a taste of my Island Home. |
