This international traveling exhibition, developed by Gab Titui Cultural Center and co-organized by the National Museum of Australia, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is part of the program to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam and to promote Australia’s unique Indigenous culture in Vietnam.

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Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick and delegates cutting ribbon to open the exhibition

The Torres Strait is a network of islands connecting Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Traditionally ancestors crafted the masks using materials native to the region and from the sea, such as Koerar turtle shell, fine rope fibers and wild bees wax.

While rooted in ancient spirituality, today masks and mask making are expressions of artistic and cultural revival, reflecting on Torres Strait Islanders’ oldest and most vibrant rituals. These masks also bridge the gap between ancient Torres Strait traditions by connecting the next generation to their culture and passing down ancient knowledge.

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A Torres Strait mask

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr. Craig Chittick, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said, “I am very pleased to present Torres Strait masks for the first time in Vietnam through this exhibition. In this important celebration year of Australia and Vietnam’s diplomatic relations, we chose to share Torres Strait Islanders’ mask culture, a very important part of Australian diverse culture, to enhance the people-to-people links between the two countries.”

“The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is very proud to host this wonderful exhibition which complements the 2018 International Museum Day’s theme: Hyper connected museums: New approaches, new publics. Digital displays of artifacts like this exhibition create more chances for Vietnamese people to enjoy cultural masterpieces of the world.” said Associate Professor Vo Quang Trong, Director of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

The exhibition that will be open until 18 July 2018 in Hanoi also offers Cracks in the Mask, the first documentary ever made about Torres Strait Islander’s culture, history and their deeply personal connection to these ancient works of art.

Reported by Binh Chau-Hoang Linh