ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2018 – 2020
Peter Bertie Morrison was born on Thursday Island and grew up in Cairns. After he finished school, like many Torres Strait Islanders at the time, he moved to Western Australia to work for many years, before he returned to his family’s place Wug Village, Saint Paul’s Community on Moa Island in the Western Island Cluster.
“This is where I learnt our traditional customs, on the island. My mother is from Darnley Island and her tribal group is Zagareb, which is on Murray Island. My father is from Mabuiag Island, he worked as a Skipper and Pearl Diver on the lugger boats around many Islands.
Family is important to me. I am very passionate about learning and teaching and I hope my images will inspire and help others appreciate the beauty and significance of our natural environment.”
Morrison commenced studying at TAFE in 2010 and has completed Certificates and a Diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts. He works across drawing, etching and fabric design.
He completed technical and business training through KickArts/ NorthSite Contemporary Arts in 2018 and has been an Artist in Residence since, completing over fifty unique drawings of marine and plant life of the Torres Strait.