Kisay Dhangal, Alick Tipoti (2016)

This striking bronze sculpture with mother-of-pearl inlay was created by renowned Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti in 2016. The work measures 1940 × 2020 × 1020 mm and weighs 280 kg.

About the Artist

Alick Tipoti (born 1975) is a prominent Torres Strait Islander artist known for his contemporary interpretations of traditional Torres Strait culture and stories. His work spans multiple mediums including printmaking, sculpture, and installation.

About This Sculpture

Kisay Dhangal represents the intersection of traditional Torres Strait Islander artistic practices with contemporary bronze casting techniques. The incorporation of mother-of-pearl inlay connects the work to traditional Torres Strait material culture and the marine environment central to Islander identity.

Collection Details

This work was acquired by the Australian National Maritime Museum through the Sid Faithfull and Christine Sadler program supporting Contemporary Indigenous Maritime Heritage in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands through the ANMM Foundation.

Capture Method

As this was a very large and heavy item (280 kg), we chose to shoot it in the loading dock of the Museum. The capture process involved:

• Loading dock photography - The sculpture was captured in the museum’s loading dock to accommodate its size and weight
• Flash photography - Used to ensure consistent, controlled lighting across the bronze surface
• Detailed image set - Comprehensive coverage from multiple angles to capture all surface details
• Baked normal maps - This technique was employed to preserve fine surface details in the web-optimised model

This is a good example of using baked normal maps to bring out the details that would have otherwise been lost when creating a lower-polygon model optimised for web delivery. The normal mapping allows the intricate bronze surface texture and mother-of-pearl inlay details to remain visible even in the compressed web version.

Interactive 3D Model

Use the controls to:

• Rotate the sculpture to appreciate its three-dimensional form
• Zoom in to examine the intricate mother-of-pearl inlay details
• Study the bronze casting technique and surface treatment
• View the work from angles not possible in a traditional gallery setting