My name is Ephraim Whap and I am a contemporary artist, a proud Goemulayg man and carver from the western island of the Torres Strait, Mabuyag Island. My totem is the Dugong, a powerful cultural being that represents my deep connection to sea Country, ancestry, and the responsibility to care for our waters. My practice is grounded in cultural knowledge passed down through family and community, while also embracing contemporary techniques and materials.

Through my work, I honour both my mother’s and father’s sides, reflecting intergenerational identity, intermarriage, and the continuity of culture. Each piece I create carries story, respect, and purpose.

Totem: Dugong (Mabuyag)

The Dugong is one of the four tribes of Mabuyag Island and, in tradition, a Dugong clan person will only eat dugong on special cultural occasions. This totem is central to my identity as a Mabuyag man. It symbolises:

• Connection to sea and Country
• Respect for Elders and cultural lore
• Sustainability, patience, calm strength, and balance

When I carve or depict cultural forms, I work with cultural awareness and permission, ensuring that stories are shared appropriately and with respect.

Artistic Practice

I work across multiple mediums, combining traditional skills with contemporary expression:

• Hand-carved pearl shell headdresses and cultural forms
• Pearl shell carving – pendants and earrings with engraved designs reflecting sea life and Torres Strait motifs
• Painting – acrylic and mixed media works inspired by ocean, reefs, and cultural stories
• Epoxy resin works – contemporary pieces that preserve and highlight natural materials

My approach is hands-on and intuitive, allowing the material to guide the final form while respecting cultural integrity.

Themes in My Work

Cultural identity and intermarriage (mother’s and father’s sides)

Connection to Mabuyag Island and the Torres Strait

Sea life, particularly the Dugong

Continuity of culture in a modern world

Storytelling through pattern, texture, and form

Cultural Responsibility

As a Torres Strait Islander artist, I acknowledge my responsibility to represent culture truthfully and respectfully. My work is not just art, but cultural knowledge expressed visually—created with care for future generations.