Thungew Bithai

Size: 58cm x 19cm

Medium: Lino Print

Category: Art Prints / Etchings

$95.00 (Incl GST)

Thungew Bithai (Night Spearing for Squid), shows a squid found in its camouflage state in a dark night with no moon. We islanders go spearing only with hand spears and a light in search of the bithai (squid). When camouflaged a squid folds its tentacles back and looks like a leaf floating just under the surface of the water, so spotting the bithai is a skill in itself. Bithai is a delicacy among Badu Islanders and the skills involved with catching enough to feed a family take a long time to learn to get it right, especially the throwing of the spear. The white ink on black paper represents the light reflecting off the water and the bithai exposing it under the veil of a dark night.