Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai NorthSite Contemporary Arts exhibition

A comprehensive exhibition of printmaking by the late artist Billy Missi.

Working with the family and friends of the late artist Billy Missi (born 1970 on Mabuaig Island, Torres Strait), curator Russell Milledge and NorthSite Contemporary Arts presents the retrospective exhibition, Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai.

The bilingual retrospective exhibition honours the artistic legacy of Missi, a prominent figure in the establishment of the Torres Strait Island Printmaking Movement. Billy Missi is remembered as a prolific artist and proactive maintainer of language and culture for his people. Rare and never-before-exhibited monoprints and etchings are included alongside iconic linoprints by the artist.

Purchase the exhibition catalogue here

Tour Dates

1 March 2025 – 25 May 2025
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, QLD

31 May 2025 – 3 August 2025
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, QLD

16 August 2025 – 12 October 2025
Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, NSW

25 October 2025 – 22 February 2026
State Library of Queensland, QLD

7 March 2026 – 31 May 2026
Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery, TAS

12 June 2026 – 26 July 2026
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, SA

8 August 2026 – 25 October 2026
Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA

6 November 2026 – 22 January 2027
Burrinja, Dandenong Ranges Cultural Centre, VIC

5 February 2027 – 19 March 2027
New England Regional Art Museum, NSW

9 April 2027 – 5 June 2027
Dogwood Crossing, Miles, QLD

17 July 2027 – 3 October 2027
Rockhampton Museum of Art, QLD

15 October 2027 – 19 November 2027
Qantas Founders Museum, QLD

21 January 2028 – 26 March 2028
Pinnacles Gallery, QLD

23 May 2028 – 1 July 2028
Tableland Regional Gallery, QLD

Our learned protocols include the respect of family and humble gratitude towards acknowledging kinship.”

Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai is an exhibition developed by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (Gimuy/Cairns) and touring Australia in partnership with Gab Titui Cultural Centre/Torres Strait Regional Authority (Waiben/Thursday Island) and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.

Hero Image: Billy Missi, Wakain Thamai, installation view, NorthSite Contemporary Arts, 2020. Courtesy of NorthSite Contemporary Arts. Photo: Michael Marzik.