19. Bauble by TORI-JAY MORDEY

Tori-Jay Mordey, Acrylic on wood, L 7cm, W 7cm, D 0.5cm.

Tori-Jay Mordey is an established First Nations artist and illustrator based in Magandjin / Meeanjin (Brisbane). With both Torres Strait Islander and English heritage, Tori-Jay’s art reflects her personal journey of exploring identity, appearance, and racial heritage, often drawing on her family and siblings to understand and express herself.

In February 2024, Tori-Jay and her mother Jessie Mordey had an exhibition in the Vault Gallery.  Apu a Neur (Mother &  Daughter) was a bright and vibrant exhibition of paintings inspired by the Torres Strait accompanied by an installation of nets hung on the walls with woven fish, seashells, frangipanis, and hibiscus flowers. She was also a part of Aboriginal Art Co's exhibition booth at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. 

Over the years, Tori-Jay has honed her skills in various mediums, including digital illustration, drawing, painting, printmaking, and film, while also expanding her practice as a mural artist. In her work, she frequently explores themes of human connection, love, loss, and identity. Her illustrative style blends surrealism with cartoon-like exaggeration, using vibrant colors and playful forms to capture the complexities of emotions and to expose the vulnerability of her characters. Through this approach, Tori-Jay creates art that is both whimsical and deeply introspective.