Solomon Ahmat - Kursay Woeday

As the sole Biosecurity Officer for Badu Island, Solomon found himself in the middle of a one-man war in early 2024 when there was a significant invasion of Oriental Fruit Fly from Papua New Guinea. Prior to this the flies were only found on Saibai, Boigu and Dauan, just south of PNG, however in 2024 they took up residence on Badu in very high numbers. 

The invasion caused huge concern for scientists, agriculturists, and all levels of Australian Government as the flies wipe out entire crops and are a serious threat to Queensland – and wider Australia’s – entire agricultural sector. The entire year was taken up with trying to bring the outbreak under control. At the me of writing, it is settling but Solomon is still – on behalf of all Australians – “paying attention”. Now that mango season is over the worry is that the flies are adjusting to the indigenous plants on the island and that they will make Badu their home. This work - from Solomon’s first series of monoprints - are unique in that they tell a contemporary story from Badu Island that makes clear the importance of the Torres Strait to the Australian mainland.