Billy Missi comes from Maluilgal country in Zenadh Kes (Western Torres Strait). He is a part of the Wagedagam Tribe with the major totem of Kodal (crocodile) and an associate member to the Dhanghal (dugong) clan of Panai to the East and the Kaigas (shovel nose ray) clan of Geomu to the South on the Island of Mabuiag.

Billy has grown up in the traditional customary ways and practices of his cultural heritage in the Torres Strait. He comes from a well respected generation of art practitioners and geographers of Mabuiag who have passed down the protocols, practices and heritage of the Torres Strait culture through story telling, songs and dance.

Billy became interested in the concepts of art – drawing and painting, in the early years of his life and over the last 10 years, he has developed his artistic ability and medium in the concepts of sculpture, lino-cut and paintings. His has won a number of art awards that include a Highly Commended in the Fifth National Heritage Art Awards 2000, and was the winner of the Non Acquisitive Prize at the 31st Fremantle Print Awards 2006.

Billy is also one of the founding members of Mualgau Minaral Artist Collective, the first printmaking facility based in Kubin Village and a pioneer project in the Torres Strait. His contribution to the Torres Strait arts industry is remarkable where he has exhibited successfully throughout the region, nationally and internationally. His works of art are held in prestigious international collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum (U.K), Cambridge Museum of Anthropology (U.K) and University of British Colombia (Canada).

Through his artwork Billy expresses the importance of his cultural heritage and kinships and demonstrates how this has sustained his people to survive for many, many generations in the tropical paradise of Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait).

Currently working out of Cairns, Billy’s works are now published through Djumbunji Press Kick Arts Fine Art Printmaking Studio, which is a part of the QLD Governments new initiative Backing Indigenous Arts program. The public can view Billy’s latest works by visiting www.kickarts.org.au or Google search; Billy Missi for information on his new exhibitions.