PERFORMATIVE PRINTS FROM THE TORRES STRAIT Exhibition Opens at Arts Centre Melbourne Today

Arts Centre Melbourne presents a one-of-a-kind exhibition celebrating the links between traditional performance and contemporary art from the Torres Strait. Performative Prints from the Torres Strait will showcase dynamic and theatrical works by Alick Tipoti, Brian Robinson and Ricardo Idagi, three prominent Torres Strait Islander artists who have found inspiration from their rich cultural heritage. Staged in Arts Centre Melbourne's Gallery 1 from today, 23 March 2013 until Sunday 23 June 2013, Performative Prints from the Torres Strait presents a new way to experience indigenous art and culture.

The exhibition includes enormous prints, elaborate masks and headdresses along with an extensive range of performance objects. Stand out pieces include Alick Tipoti's monumental eight metre long black and white linoprint, Girelal, a highlight of the 18th Biennale of Sydney, and significantly the first time a Torres Strait artist had been chosen to exhibit at the event.Alick is joined by Brian Robinson, a respected and ground-breaking Torres Strait Islander curator at Cairns Regional Gallery who has returned to art-making full-time in the last decade and Ricardo Idagi, who first achieved recognition as a musician, performing as King Kadu before rising to national prominence as a senior visual artist

Accompanying the exhibition on Friday 12 April at 11am and Sunday 14 April at 2pm will be public performances by Alick Tipoti and the Badu Island Zugubal Traditional Dancers,enabling visitors to experience the creative and cultural links between two art forms.

For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183. Become a fan of Arts Centre Melbourne on Facebook or follow @artscentremelb on Twitter.