Description (CMS Description)
Catalogue card reads [printed in black ink]: Colour poster depicting the mask of Malu-Bomai in brown on a multi-coloured splash background. The mask is crowned with white feathers, has red close-set eyes and wide open mouth with model jaw-bones hanging from the chin. The oval shape of the mask is perforated on the brow, cheek-bones and cheeks. There is a turtle shell in each corner of the poster. The poster is titled. "Malu-Bomai', Joseph Dorante, Torres Strait - Australia'.
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
'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 " Malu Bomai. Joseph Dorante - Poster 1990s. Poster depicting the mask of Malo Bomai based on the cardboard model commissioned by Haddon in 1898. The turtle carapces in each corner represent Olai, the image found on the back of the mask. c. J.Philp 1996. 1996.1679." F. Veys, 7/8/2006'
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Acquisition Details)
Catalogue card reads : 'The poster is part of a collection sold through a hotel, The Jardine, on Thursday Island. A leaflet published by Jardine motel writes, "Joseph Dorante 'I was born on Thursday Island in 1965. My family orginally comes from Malaysia. My mum is a Torres Strait Islander and my father is German. I have lived most of my life on Thursday Island where I attended the Thursday Island Catholic Primary School and completed year 12 at Bamaga Sate High School. After completing year 12 I went to Stephen Island to take up carving. I applied to the Associate Diploma of Art (Aboriginal of TAFE) which is where I will be studying for two years. I base my artwork of Torres Strait on, island face masks, fish and traditional local designs. My spare time is spent carving dugong, turtles and fish, and hunting or these animals'.


Event Date 1996
Author: rachel hand

Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card notes: Joseph Dorante's striking artwork gives an insight into the traditional symbols and ritual objects of the Torres Strait. Joseph uses subtle colour and strong design elements to link his ancient stories, customs and culture with a very individual artistic identity.
Exhibitions, Collections and Commissions, Aboriginal And Tribal Art Gallery, Sydney 1991, Maritime Museum Sydney 1991, Jardin Motel Thursday Island 1991, Pacific International Hotel Cairns 1990/1, Visions of the Australian Landscape II Riverside Centre Brisbane 1990".
Event Date 1996
Author: rachel hand

Context (CMS Context)
Exhibited: 'Torres Strait Islanders: An Exhibition Marking the Centenary of the 1898 Cambridge Anthropological Exhibition' at UCMAA, July 1998 to December 2000.'
Event Date 17/2/2013
Author: Rachel Hand

Context (CMS Context)
Catalogue card reads [printed in black ink] 'The poster depicts a key figure of past rituals on Mer/Murray Island in the Torres Strait. It is probable that this depiction comes directly from a picture of the cardboard model of a Malu-Bomai mask commissioned by A.C. Haddon (Z 9440) in UCMAA. It is pictured in the Torres Strait Collections of A.C. Haddon, David Moore, BMP 1984; No. 357.
The poster is part of a collection sold through a hotel, The Jardine, on Thursday Island. A leaflet published by Jardine motel writes, "Joseph Dorante 'I was born on Thursday Island in 1965. My family orginally comes from Malaysia. My mum is a Torres Strait Islander and my father is German. I have lived most of my life on Thursday Island where I attended the Thursday Island Catholic Primary School and completed year 12 at Bamaga Sate High School. After completing year 12 I went to Stephen Island to take up carving. I applied to the Associate Diploma of Art (Aboriginal of TAFE) which is where I will be studying for two years. I base my artwork of Torres Strait on, island face masks, fish and traditional local designs. My spare time is spent carving dugong, turtles and fish, and hunting or these animals'.


Event Date 17/2/2013
Author: Rachel Hand