GOTAT | GUTHATH | 時代の潮目 | Tides : An exhibition of archival photographs of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) from the National Museum of Ethnology (Osaka, Japan)

GOTAT | GUTHATH | 時代の潮目 | TIDES

Exhibition, open daily, 13-22 June 2025, 11am - 4pm
Curated by the ANU Japan Zenadth Kes Project (JZK), this exhibition presents never-before-seen archival photographs from the 1970s—capturing a transformative era in Zenadth Kes (then Torres Strait) history.

On display for the first time in Australia, these images from the George Ohshima Collection (National Museum of Ethnology, Japan) offer a rare glimpse into community life, resilience, and creativity during a time of significant change.

The exhibition marks 50 years since the Torres Strait Kenkyūkai—a group of ten Japanese researchers led by Professors George Ohshima and Yoshihiko Yabu'uchi—began fieldwork across every Zenadth Kes community. It also features photos from the personal archives of Dr Hironobu Kitaoji, Professor Hiroyuki Matsumoto, and Dr Michiya Hata.

International Panel Discussion, 13 June 2025, 12-1pm, The Gallery, ANU.
Speakers include Dr Annick Thomassin, Mr Ned David, Professor Norio Niwa, Dr Hiroko Cockerill, Dr Sara Kitaoji, Michael Passi. Panel Chair: Dr Julie Lahn.

Zenadth Kes style Weaving Workshops, 13, 14, 15 June 2025, The Gallery, ANU. With master weaver Mr Niki Mackie. Registrations via Humanitix.

For more information about this exhibition read here.