3. As the sun began to sink lower and lower in the sky and cold winds began to blow, ancient
people wondered why different events occurred. Why were there seasons, how was the
earth created, and why were animals so many diverse shapes and sizes?
4. In the dark nights, they gathered around campfires to tell stories trying to explain these
natural occurrences. Their colorful stories became the wonderful, creative myths and legends
we hear today.
5. There is a Mythical & Mystical Sculpture At KAUST… it is called the 2 brothers.
6. Torres Strait
This sculpture is based on an ancient myth that comes from the Torres Strait region between
Australia and Papua New Guinea
8. Artist Dennis Nona
• Two Brothers was created by Dennis Nona,
one of the most famous artists from the Torres
Strait. He had an early education in wood-
carving which he transformed into a unique
artistic style of intricate lino cuts, etchings and
sculptures.
9. Torres Strait Islander people are described as having one foot on land and one in the sea.
Here is one of their hand carved boats
10. Canoes were very importance to the people of the Torres Strait. They were used for trading between the islands and trading
to the north with Papua New Guinea and to the South with Cape York on the Australian mainland. Canoes were essential for
hunting of dugong and turtle which were an important food source. They were also used in battle in the time when warriors
were revered and their courage measured by a count of the number of human skulls acquired.
11. Here is a Traditional canoe built to hold up to 5 people, but long distance canoes were huge
and could hold 50 people
12. Here is one of the spectacular war canoes of the Gogodala people in Indonesia.
13. Artist Dennis Nona tells ancient stories and myths of his people in one image. He uses
delicate clan patterning to indicate each story’s place of origin.
14. Like many Torres Strait Islanders Dennis Nona was taught to carve at an early age. Here is the
artist carving part of the sculpture 2 Brothers which is seen at KAUST.
17. Nagai or the soft wind that Dennis Nona has shown on the right hand of the canoe hull is a
totem of his family’s clan.
18. Dennis Nona developed “Two Brothers” based on a traditional legend from his home island of
Badu. The 7-metre-long cast bronze canoe is supported by 6 paddles, raising it 5 metres above
the ground.
19. The position of the two stars in the night sky is an indicator of weather conditions which
are of vital importance to these seafaring people. When the two stars are seen apart,
strong winds and rough conditions can be expected. When they are observed close
together, gentle winds and a calm sea will be experienced.
20. The patterning and position of two mother-of-pearl stars seen on the sides of the canoe’s hull reflect the strong
wind (Sagerr) and soft wind (Nagai). In the legend, these stars are actually 2 brothers who usually get along with
each other, like most brothers. When these stars are seen close together the two brother are friends, but when they
are seen far apart, the two brothers are fighting, causing bad weather and high seas.
21. There are myths and legends all around us…. Look for the ancient myths from your own
cultures! We are looking forward to see the creative videos that advisories are making and
prizes will be awarded to the 3 best in Middle School and in High School!
Hinweis der Redaktion
As the sun began to sink lower and lower in the sky and cold winds began to blow, ancient people wondered why different events occurred.
Why were there seasons, how was the earth created, and why were animals so many diverse shapes and sizes?
In the dark nights, they gathered around campfires to tell stories trying to explain these natural occurrences. Their colorful stories became the wonderful, creative myths and legends we hear today.
There is a Mythical & Mystical Sculpture At KAUST… it is called the 2 brothers.
This sculpture is based on an ancient myth that comes from the Torres Strait region between Australia and Papua New Guinea
From a place called Badu Island
Torres Strait Islander people are described as having one foot on land and one in the sea. Here is one of their hand carved boats
Canoes were very importance to the people of the Torres Strait. They were used for trading between the islands and trading to the north with Papua New Guinea and to the South with Cape York on the Australian mainland. Canoes were essential for hunting of dugong and turtle which were an important food source.
They were also used in battle in the time when warriors were revered and their courage measured by a count of the number of human skulls acquired.
Here is a Traditional canoe built to hold up to 5 people, but long distance canoes were huge and could hold 50 people
Here is one of the spectacular war canoes of the Gogodala people.
Artist Dennis Nona tells ancient stories and myths of his people in one image. He uses delicate clan patterning to indicate each story’s place of origin.
Dennis Nona: On the islands we have sharks, stingrays, turtles and dugongs. Some of these sea creatures are totems to the Torres Strait Islands. And it's a thing that we're proud of to show people that this is our totem and we decorate them very well in our artwork.
Like many Torres Strait Islanders Dennis Nona was taught to carve at an early age. Here is the artist carving part of the sculpture 2 Brothers which is seen at KAUST.
This patterning or mineral provides the artist with a way to convey the many parts of his culture and natural phenomena of his Island world. While appearing to be quite abstract they are in fact depicting things like the fierce currents that swirl around the islands and rip through the Strait from the Pacific to the Indian oceans. The winds, cloud formations, rain, tides, island flora and elements of sacred knowledge that is not explained or revealed to the uninitiated, are all seen in his work.
Nagai or the soft wind that Dennis Nona has shown on the right hand of the canoe hull is a totem of his family’s clan.
Dennis Nona developed “Two Brothers” based on a traditional legend from his home island of Badu. The 7-metre-long cast bronze canoe is supported by 6 paddles, raising it 5 metres above the ground.
The position of the two stars in the night sky is an indicator of weather conditions which are of vital importance to these seafaring people. When the two stars are seen apart, strong winds and rough conditions can be expected. When they are observed close together, gentle winds and a calm sea will be experienced.
The patterning and position of two mother-of-pearl stars seen on the sides of the canoe’s hull reflect the strong wind (Sagerr) and soft wind (Nagai). In the legend, these stars are actually 2 brothers who usually get along with each other, like most brothers. When these stars are seen close together the two brother are friends, but when they are seen far apart, the two brothers are fighting, causing bad weather and high seas.
There are myths and legends all around us…. Look for the ancient myths from your own cultures! We are looking forward to see the creative videos that advisories are making and prizes will be awarded to the 3 best in Middle School and in High School!