Ricardo Idagi Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1957 -

Ricardo Idagi is a multi disciplinary artist and musician who lives and works in Melbourne. Ricardo grew up on Mer (Murray Island) and was introduced to art by his uncle, George Passi, and cousin, Segar Passi. In 1967 Idagi moved to Townsville where his cultural education continued under the guidance of another uncle, Gamalai. With encouragement from Uncle Eddie Koiki Mabo, he undertook a TAFE commercial art course from 1977 – 79. From 1989 to 1991 he attended the TAFE Aboriginal and Islander art course in Cairns. After living in Townsville and Darwin between 1992 and 1993, Idagi returned to Mer before settling in Melbourne in 1997.

Idagi gained prominent recognition in Ilan Pasin (This is our way): Torres Strait Art, at the Cairns Regional Art Gallery in 1998 and held his first solo exhibition at Span Galleries, Melbourne in 2002. He has since held major solo exhibition at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne in 2007 and at Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne in 2008. In 2009 Ricardo was winner of the prestigious Western Australian Indigenous Art Award at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, and in 2011 was announced the winner of the New Media Award at the 28th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin for his personal victory dance mask Upi Mop Le. Ricardo is represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; and the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth.