Legacy of Torres Strait artist Dr Ken Thaiday Snr lives on through father-son collaboration at CIAF '25

World-renowned Torres Strait Islander artist Dr Ken Thaiday Snr and his son Paul Thaiday unearthed a remarkable cache of ceremonial artworks from years past ahead of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). 

With preparations ramping up for CIAF’s 16th anniversary in July 2025, a legacy story has emerged from the Gimuy / Cairns (Portsmith) packing shed of one of the Torres Strait’s most celebrated cultural custodians. 

Born and raised on Darnley Island, Thaiday—affectionately known as Uncle Ken—has spent decades interpreting traditional Torres Strait Islander ceremonies through striking kinetic sculptures, dance masks, and headdresses. Dr Thaiday’s distinctive works, made using bamboo, feathers, plastic, and plywood, have appeared in more than 50 exhibitions across Australia and internationally, with many now part of institutional and private collections. 

During a recent studio visit in Gimuy/Cairns, Uncle Ken and his son Paul Thaiday, who travelled from Western Australia, along with CIAF’s Exhibitions and Development Manager, India Collins, unpacked several of the artist’s treasured creations. 

“We opened several crates filled with old artworks, and it was wonderful to see the range of work he has created over the years—so many of them with moving parts, resembling pieces from old theatre sets,” said Ms Collins. 

Paul Thaiday returned to Gimuy/Cairns to assist in restoring and maintaining his father’s work—an increasingly important task as Uncle Ken’s mobility has declined. Still, the artist proudly demonstrated how he cuts plywood on his lap, resting sheets on the armrests of his wheelchair, which are now worn with ‘saw’ marks. 

“Their story speaks to more than just the artworks—it’s a generational exchange of cultural knowledge, skill and deep commitment. Uncle Ken, a respected mentor to many artists who now exhibit regularly at CIAF (including Grace Lillian Lee, Brian Robinson, Toby Cedar, and Oberon Sambo), continues to create and inspire,” she said. 

Paul Thaiday, though not an artist by trade, is now working closely with his father to build six new pieces for CIAF 2025—including three shark masks and three dugong sculptures (a baby with two parents)—as well as assisting in the careful restoration of past works. 

“This story is bigger than him just being an artist exhibiting at CIAF—it’s a living legacy of Torres Strait art and identity being passed from father to son.” 

The works of Dr Ken Thaiday Snr will feature in CIAF’s '25 Art Fair Showcase under the theme Pay Attention!, held at the Tanks Arts Centre from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 July 2025.

Images: Dr. Ken Thaiday Snr and his son Paul Thaiday unearthed wonderful objects of art from past years at the artist’s storage space in Portsmith.