Context (Field collection)
Purchased by MAA Curator Anita Herle at the 2011 annual art awards hosted by Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island. Herle was in Torres Strait for fieldwork relating to the return of A.C. Haddon's photographs to Islanders. Funded by the Acquisitions Fund through the generosity of the Crowther-Beynon Grant.
Event Date 2011
Author: rachel hand

Context (Display)
Exhibited: On display in the Maudslay Hall from May 2012, with the following label.

'This sculpture of a 'kus kus', a black tip reef shark, is made from split bamboo coated with marine paint, with shell eyes and teeth. The design is based on weres, traditional fishing traps, still used on the reefs around the Island of Mer. Kaigey made this sculpture in 2011 for the annual art awards hosted by Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island. [He said] ' The main reason I decided to base my artwork on this particular shark is because whatever you are doing on the sea, whether it is fishing or diving for crays you will always see the black tip reef shark"
Event Date 2012
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
A basketry sculpture of a black tip reef shark, kus kus, made using the same techniques as those for fish traps. Painted in light beige marine gloss paint with shell eyes, and painted teeth. Made by Robert Kaigey 2011
Event Date 11/9/2012
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
The sculpture was accompanied by a purpose built wooden base painted red with the words 'Kus kus' written in white on the front. The base was not accessioned but has been labelled and stored as part of the mask
Event Date 27/10/2014
Author: maa

Context (References)
Photographed as part of the Art UK Sculpture project, August - September 2019. The project aims to create a free-to-access online photographic showcase of publicly owned sculpture. The three-year project focuses on sculpture dating from the last 1,000 years, held in public collections and outdoor locations across the UK



Event Date 4/6/2020
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
A certificate of authenticity was provided by the Gab Titui Cultural Centre for 'Kus kus (Reef shark)' by Robert Meddy Kaigey, 2011, dated 12.9.2011.
Event Date 23/8/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Production / use)
Robert Meddy Kaigey
Date of birth: 1947
Community: Komet, Mer
Artwork : KUS-KUS (reef shark)
Medium: Sculpture - Coconut cane, shell PLY, Glue, Twine and Acrylic

'This sculpture of a 'kus kus', a black tip reef shark, is made from split bamboo coated with marine paint, with shell eyes and teeth. The design is based on weres, traditional fishing traps, still used on the reefs around the Island of Mer. Kaigey made this sculpture in 2011 for the annual art awards hosted by Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island. [He said] 'My craft work represents the black tip reef shark in our nation. We call Kus-Kus in Meriam language. The main reason i decided to base my artwork on this particular shark is becausewhatever you are doing on the sea, whether it is fishing or diving for crays you will always see the black tip reef shark. Seeing this beautiful creature in the sea everyday inspired me to create my artwork based on the black tip reef shark'. Exhibition catalogue, Indigenous Art Award 2011, Gab Titui Cultural Centre.
Event Date 10/4/2025
Author: Anita Herle