Alick Tipoti

Gubau Aimai Mabaigal means “Wind Makers” in the Maluilgal Zenadh Kes language. They are the Zugubal who create and control the four winds that clear the airways of the islands. This print shows the yearly seasonal calendar of my people, the Maluilgal. Sydney H. Ray was the first Westerner to document this information, he was part of the anthropology expedition to Mabuaig Island lead by Alfred Cort Haddon in 1898. I have now transformed some of the written information as the images you see before you. My translation takes its inspiration from these historical documents. The small circles along the bottom border represent the twelve Kisai/ Moelpal (moons/months) of the year. All the different images along the print are placed as if on a timeline, in this way the print represents what we call the Wiath (year). The four great Zugubal figures are responsible for controlling the four seasons/winds of the island world. My ancestors referred to these winds as Kuki (North westerly winds), Wour/Sager (South easterly winds), Naigai (North easterly winds) and Zay (South westerly winds). The laser cut image on the Skateboard is a reproduction of the artist’s original linocut.