Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card reads [printed in black ink]: 'T-shirt, white with black design. T-shirt shows man's smiling face (Eddie Koiko Mabo), he is wearing a dhari headdress. Above the headdress is written 'Cultural revival is survival'.'
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Display)
'Exhibited: 'Torres Strait Islanders: An Exhibition Marking the Centenary of the 1898 Cambridge Anthropological Exhibition' at UCMAA, July 1998 to December 2000, with following label " T-shirt cultural revival is survival. T-shirt depicting Eddie Koiki Mabo who worked for ten years on the Murray Island Land Case. He died before the decision was made in 1992. This t-shirt was printed for 3 June 1995, a holiday for Islanders which marks the achievement of Eddie Mabo and the Meriam community. Thursday Island. c. J. Philp 1995. 1996.1684." F. Veys, 28/7/2006'
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card reads [printed in black ink]: This T-shirt was a modification of an earlier one showing only Eddie Loiki Mabo's face. Mabo was made famous through his involvement in the first successful land rights case in Australia at Mer/Murray Island in the Torres Strait. He died before the judgement was given. This T-shirt was printed fro the 1995 'Mabo-day' celebration at Tamwoy suburb, Thursday Island on June 3. The T-shirt was also made to show affiliation towards and all-islander cultural festival that was also held at Tamwoy on the proceeding two days. This 'boycott' festival was held in competition to the Council run 'Music Festival' held at Port Kennedy suburb on Thursday Island, which was thought to be a more multi-cultural event. T-shirts are made up for almost every conceivable occasion in the straits, family reunions, church celebrations, shop openings, festivals, football competitions, schools, dancing celebrations etc., as markers of personal and islander affiliation. Many younger artists also use T-shirts as a way of selling their designs and making a small profit as tourist T-shirts. Artists would, however, give their designs for free for a personal or island-affiliated cause or celebration.
Event Date 17/2/2013
Author: Rachel Hand