New York, London, Paris, Badu! - Episode 44
We've been pushed to complete everything before leaving Cairns on a 120 mile trip out into the Coral Sea to visit Holmes Reef. But we leave you with this week's video of our time spent with some of the artists (and now friends) of Badu Island.
Their art combines many elements to tell stories of their past and present interaction with the natural world, all presented with a high level of skill that is being recognised by art collectors around the world. We were taken so much by what we saw of it on Thursday Island that we decided to go miles out of our way to visit the centre and learn their motto - Though we're Small, We Aim High.
As our friendship grows, our new mate Joseph shares a few lessons with us and we get to see some of the techniques in use on Badu, as well as, take away a special memento of our visit.
If, like us, you're interested in purchasing a piece of art from the Badu Art Centre, the full catalogue, including the stories in respect of each piece, is available on the Badu Art Centre website: https://www.baduartcentre.com.au/.
Because we're going far off shore next week's video may be a little late coming out. Our apologies but it's just part of what we do.
Troy and Pascale
New York, London, Paris, Badu! - Free Range Sailing Ep 44 (YouTube)
Comments (14)
Thanks guys for another great informative video. I am going to order some art from their online shop.
Wonderful, glad we could introduce them to you.
Wonderful episode! Thankyou!
Fantastic! My wife is a painter. She works in oils. I recently took a drawing course at the university where I work. I thouroughly enjoyed it, and was able to improve significantly thanks to an excellent teacher. More importantly, the process of learning to draw helped me to see the entire world in more detail, and ane to enjoy its beauty on a whole new leval. Thank you so much for showing us the Badu Art Centre, the wonderful art and artists, and the story behind them. I think making art ourselves, even when it is only a start at the process, helps us to appreciate art on a much deeper level. Fantastic you had the opportunity to do just that in this very unique and rich setting. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
I have to agree with you Scott, that drawing acts to shut out the noise and allow you to see things as they really are. It is a great skill to develop and I'm always surprised it doesn't get more attention in schools any more.
Good on ya guys. What a wonderful art infused vid from cruising sailors. Don't think I have ever seen such attention to such a great art. Just proves to me that all the sailing videos that abound, don't have to be about wild landing parties and visiting the coolest bar. I implore you to keep this up. Your videos, in my humble opinion, are the essence of what true cruising is about. Cheers, Capt. Rick
Thank you Capt'n. The cliche about the people making the place is very true (when there are people living where we visit!)
Thank you both, and the Elders of the community, for bringing this to us. There is NO way that I could ever have experienced this myself first hand, even if I had heard of the island and the community. The Artwork that is carried out at that Centre is of such a high level, not rushed out to meet demand, but made with care and patience, and I hope and trust that it attracts the premium that it deserves for this. Your Documentary making skills are really shining brightly now, from the thought behind the questions and comments, to the explainations and camerawork, and the Editing as well is really well done. I follow quite a few Sailing Vlogs now, but I learn more from a single episode of Yours than many others put together, Thank You.
Thanks Andy, it really was a pleasure to meet them and spend a few days getting to know them. Hopefully you could see the relationship develop through the video till at the end Joseph was just accepting as fact that we were friends who would return soon. Great people.
Safe travels and we all will be waiting impatiently for you two!
:)
Yep outstanding. I am lucky as my mother is a very accomplished artist. and really appreciate the big skills and subject matter that you have shown and respects to the Artists. Again Respects to the local guru art and story concepts here (great Art always has a story behind it - thats what makes it a great picture and story) but from an Indigenous POV totems etc. to actually hear that story and convey it is another (and I am no expert). The part that I do know are:- Totems are about the tribe culture can never kill or mame their totem (or bad things will happen to the tribe) This is true through most indigenous tribes throughout the world - in indigenous culture totems are part of the whole tribe order. Here in Australia Totems are the most significant thing to tribes (massively connected to initiation - becoming an young adult). You could never disrespect your totem, or kill it etc. (you can still eat it provided you didn't kill it at a camp fire). From what I know about totems and culture is - it was to honour and respect your totem, and understand. Your totem was designated by the elders of the day at initiation. It was decreed to learn your totem in greater depth, and more so, it was to preserve your totem so it will not become extinct in over hunting, or other forces. My thoughts XX Pete
Yes Joseph has dugong totem and he was saying that he very rarely ate it. He also indicated it was good for conservation. Always good to hear your thoughts Peter. Until next time, Pascale
Outstanding!