Robert Tommy Pau

Meriam / Erub Samsep

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Tommy was born in Townsville in 1967. He was raised in the Torres Strait and the Australian mainland, and his artworks reflect his cultural experience and urban lifestyle. His involvement in arts and culture has been a lifelong experience, learning cultural practices from his father to keep culture strong.
Tommy speaks Torres Strait Creole. His family and cultural influence were focused on conservative cultural values called Pasin.
Throughout his artistic career he has been fascinated by comic hyper realism and religious art. While completing a Certificate in Art at the Cairns TAFE, Pau developed a strong network within the arts industry engaging with reputable mentors and colleagues. His print works are held in the Art and Object collection at AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies) Canberra and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT).
His artwork uses symbolism relevant to the subject. He is keen to explain his artistic expression as a contemporary urban artist and enjoys mixing his views on political movements with traditional storytelling. Pau has been producing prints and paintings as part of a series titled ‘Black wars of Torres Strait’ that details European contact with islanders since 1606.