Alick Tipoti is a Torres Strait Islander who is guided by the traditional cultural practices of his people. He believes in the Zugubal who were spoken about for many years by his ancestors. He is most diligent about what he sees as his responsibility to document the stories, genealogies, songs and other aspects of his culture so that it is available for future generations to learn, understand and practice. He speaks his native language, Kala Lagaw Ya of the Maluilgal nation of Zenadh Kes. Alick believes that language is the vital ingredient that binds all cultures in the world today. 'Without your language you become a foreigner, lost in another persons culture. One of my favourite English word is analyse. In my language we call it Ses Tham or Thapul. Singing and dancing are forms of art that branch out from the centrepiece called language. Everything you do, traditionally or culturally, evolves from a language. When you know the language, you know your culture.' He has been given the traditional name of ZUGUB which enables him to relate to the spirits of his ancestors, the ZUGUBAL. This provides him the insight and ability to translate the words of these ancestors into the beautifully delicate and complex imagery of his linocuts. 'When I work late at night carving traditional designs, I can sense the presence of the spirits who I verbally acknowledge and thank in language for their guidance and help in visualising the words they have given me. I vividly remember an unusual event late one evening where I was guided to resketch and change the interperation of a block I was about to carve. This was just one of the many occasions when I have connected with the Zugubal who have instructed me on the proper ways of our cultural traditions.' Alick Tipoti’s works have been collected by major galleries around the world, including the British Museum in London, the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, the Tjibaou Cultural Center in Noumea, the Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection in the US and a number of Australian museums. A work by Alick Tipoti is included in a video projected every night on Sydney Opera House. View video Alick has created two monumental works for an exhibition at the Oceanographique Museum of Monaco. Collections: •Musée des Confluences, Lyon/ British Museum, Londres/ Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, University of Virginia, Charlotesville, Etats-Unis/ Centre Culturel Tjibaou, Nouméa, Nouvelle-Calédonie/ Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney/ Cambridge Uiversity Museum, Cambridge/ National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australie/ National Museum of Australia, Canberra, Australie/ Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, Australie/ Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australie/ Arts Centre, Melbourne/ Australian Museum, Sydney/ Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, Australie/ Parliament House, Wellington, Nouvelle-Zélande/ Australian Embassy, Lisbonne, Portugal/ Belau National Museum, Republic of Palau/ Melbourne City of Art Council, Australie/ Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australie/ Cairns Regional Art Gallery, Cairns, Australie/ Canberra School of Arts, Australian National University/ Parliament House, Canberra/ Torres Strait Regional Autorithy, Thursday Island, Australie/ Griffith University, Brisbane, Australie/ Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Surfers Paradise, Australie