FREE ADMISSION | GALLERY OPEN: Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am – 3.30pm | Closed Monday, Tuesday & Public Holidays

Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai brings together over fifty of the artist’s most significant and iconic prints, including rare and never-before-exhibited monoprints, etchings, and linoprints from Djumbunji Fine Art Press and private collections. Curated by Dr Russell Milledge, this retrospective was developed in close consultation with the Billy Missi Estate, family members and friends, highlighting Missi’s critical role in the emergence of Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait) printmaking as a contemporary art form.

The Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai exhibition honours Missi’s artistic legacy and his dedication to maintaining the language and culture of his people. The bilingual exhibition features diverse forms of printmaking and a film, presenting an immersive experience into contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture and customs. Audiences will gain a deep appreciation for Missi’s work, reflecting his way of life, traditions, and enduring legacy.

Billy Missi was born on Mabuiag Island and was deeply influenced by the storytelling, song, and dance traditions of his Wagadagam Tribe. Beginning in earnest in the 1990s, his artistic journey combined traditional carving techniques with modern linocut methods, creating a unique aesthetic that earned international recognition before his passing in 2012.

Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai is an exhibition developed by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (Cairns) and touring Australia in partnership with Gab Titui Cultural Centre/Torres Strait Regional Authority (Thursday Island) and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.

Join us 5.30pm Friday 28 February for the Opening of Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai.
Free event | All welcome| Bookings are essential | Phone 131 872 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your place.
RSVP Wednesday 26 February

Join us 5.30pm Thursday 15 May for a Twilight Tour of Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai.
Free event | All welcome| Bookings are essential | Phone 131 872 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your place.
RSVP Tuesday 13 May

Exhibition on display 1 March – 25 May 2025

Image: Billy Missi, Ubarau Thonar | Wondai Season, 2009, linoleum cut printed in black ink from one block and hand coloured, 1000 x 650mm (print matrix). Courtesy of Gab Titui Cultural Centre. © Billy Missi | Copyright Agency, 2024