In this linocut, Alick Tipoti depicts a Mawa mask, which is traditionally created for religious ceremonies. The shape of the Mawas reminds us how closely the culture of the Torres Strait Aborigines is linked to that of the Papuans of New Guinea. 

These masks are sometimes carved from the wood of a tree called Wapadh, which grows on most of the islands in the Torres Strait. 

The artist has taken the liberty of interpreting this mask with his own sensibility, using a modern medium, printmaking. However, some of the motifs used remain sacred and should only be revealed to initiates.