Robert ‘Tommy’ Pau

Tommy is a descendant of the Eastern Torres Strait Islands, Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islander and Asia. He speaks Torres Strait Creole and Australian English. He was taught about the need to keep culture strong through cultural practice by his father. He has a strong commitment to keeping old traditions alive and believes that culture must remain true to the past and move with time to exist in the future. Tommy has considerable experience in the arts and his art forms of choice include printmaking, painting and sculpture.

He has completed a Bachelor of Education and currently completing a BA in New Media at James Cook University, Cairns.  He was a semi-finalist in the Telstra Art Award in 2017 and was the winner of the Works on Paper section of the 2016 Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award.   His works are in major public and private collections in Australia.  He is passionate in representing Indigenous arts and artists in general and the protection and true representation of Torres Strait Islander arts and culture.

Study
2020   Currently completing BA in New Media at James Cook University, Cairns
2013   Certificate IV in Governance, The Learning Workshop, through UMI Arts, Cairns
Diploma of Visual Art, TAFE, Cairns
2012   Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts, TAFE, Cairns
2010   Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cultural Art, TAFE Cairns
2009   Diploma of Information Technology (Networking), TAFE Cairns
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, MW Training Consultants, Cairns
2008   Certificate III in Information Technology, TAFE Cairns
1999   Bachelor of Education, James Cook University, Townsville
1997   Associate Diploma of Education (Community Teaching), TAFE Cairns

Commissions
2012   Booklet and Mural for Queensland Health Cancer Unit
2011   Designed a Tie for Minister of Mines and Energy in collaboration with Certificate IV in Cultural Arts and Fashion students, TAFE Cairns
Animated Backdrop for Biwa Dance Company, Cairns
Colour in book for Queensland Fire and Rescue, Cairns
ABC series The Straits commission:  Four Boys (linocut print) and fish paddle blade (wood carving)

Exhibitions – Solo
2017   Torres Statesmen, UMI Arts, Cairns
2015   Ad Wer (Sacred Stars), Gecko Studio Gallery, Fish Creek, Vic.
2011   Exploration of Mediums, UMI Arts, Cairns
2013   Before Television, August Feature Wall, KickArts Cairns

Exhibitions – Group
2018   Alumni Exhibition, UMI Arts, Cairns
2017   Finalist Exhibition, Telstra Indigenous Art Award, Darwin
2017   Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, exhibiting with Umbrella Studio
2016   Winner, Works on Paper Category, Telstra Indigenous Art Award
2014   Freshwater Saltwater, UMI Arts, Cairns
2013   UMI Arts Member’s Exhibition
Works on Paper exhibition, Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
Salt Water, Fresh Water – Touring Exhibition organised by UMI Arts, Cairns
Salt Water Fresh Water, UMI Arts Exhibition during Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Cairns
Finalist Exhibition, Telstra Indigenous Art Award
Naissance, Cairns Regional Art Gallery, (exhibition featuring 7 emerging artists from the Cairns region)
We Three, Banggu Minjaany Gallery, TAFE, Cairns
2012   Gaban Bagarra Meets Mazal (Rainforest Meets Coral Seas), SACI Gallery, Florence, Italy
Group exhibition Cairns Regional Art Gallery
Included in group exhibition held by UMI Arts, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Beautiful Spaces Pop Up Group exhibition, Cairns
Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery, North Queensland TAFE Cairns
2011   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diploma of Visual Arts “Prints”, TAFE Cairns, Banggu Minjaany Gallery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Certificate IV in Cultural Arts “Coloured Flavour” Tropical
North Queensland TAFE Cairns, Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery
Cancer Council Fund Raiser, Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery, TAFE, Cairns
Kick Arts, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Exhibition, Cairns
2010   Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery, TAFE, Cairns (Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Exhibition)
Digital Journey, Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery, TAFE, Cairns (Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Exhibition)
Our Style, Banggu Minjaany Gallery, Graduates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Certificate III/IV in Cultural Arts, TAFE, Cairns

Bibliography
2011   May – ABC Radio National interview by Karen Dorante on exhibition Exploration of Mediums
May – Torres News, interview on exhibition Exploration of Mediums
April – Koori Mail interview on exhibition Exploration of Mediums
Cairns Sun article on exhibition Exploration of Mediums
Pathways 2, exhibition catalogue UMI Arts, Cairns
Featured artworks in ABC series The Straits (BALA Production): Four Boys (print), Fish Paddle Blade (wood carving)