About

Toby Cedar is a proud Torres Strait Island man born in Dampier Western Australia. His bloodlines being from both Eastern and Western Islands of the Torres Strait. He comes from the Peiudu tribe Erub (Darnley Island) with his lubabat (totem) being Wada (frigate bird), Op Nor Beizam (Tiger shark), Deumer (Torres Strait pigeon) and wind identity – Koki (North West). And Samsep-Meriam tribe Mer (Murray Island) his lubabat are Korseimer (moth), Deumer (Torres Strait pigeon), Op Nor Beizam (tiger shark), Sap (driftwood) and wind identity – Sager (southeast) from his father’s side. N.O.D (Hinode /sunrise) Wug village (Senpol /St Pauls Community) Moa Island, his lubabat are kodal (crocodile),Dangal (dugong), and wind identity Goub from his mother’s side.

After spending over a decade in NSW, Toby and his wife made the decision to make the move to North Queensland not only so he could progress with his artwork and business but so that their children could learn more about their language and culture and be with more of their Torres Strait families. Toby worked out of his workshop creating his art and also doing wide format sublimation printing, where he spent the next five years but has since moved back to NSW for other work and Art opportunities.

Alongside creating new works Toby also runs cultural programs and workshops throughout schools and corporations. Toby’s successful art journey so far includes him participating in his first art competition in 2011 in the Gosford Art Prize with both works he entered being selected as finalists and went on exhibition at the Gosford regional Gallery. From there Toby has sold many of his works, some including to - private collectors, galleries, universities, the Australian Navy, National Gallery Of Victoria and has had three of his pieces acquired from the National Gallery of Australia for the National collection.

Since 2011 he has been involved in both solo and group exhibitions, in 2020 he was awarded the 3D Sculpture Award at CIAF Art Awards, 2021 was selected as a finalist in the 2021 Telstra NATSIAA Awards and in 2022 has been selected as a finalist in the 67th Blake Prize. Toby enjoys creating both traditional and contemporary works which are all heavily influenced by his Torres Strait culture, his totems, his Father’s stories of childhood/early adulthood on the Islands – hunting, fishing, gardening, dance and family life with many of his pieces that are made to be used in dance.

Toby works with many materials but especially bamboo, coconut shell, feathers, pearl shell, resin and wood creating three dimensional Totemic animals crafted into headdresses, weaving and wood carvings. .