William Savage

William is a Torres Strait Islander from Darnley Island (Erub, Eastern Islands) in the Torres Strait.

William makes beautiful Kulap (Gorr) shakers and miniature replica shakers as keyrings.

The Kulap Shaker is a traditional Torres Strait Islander dance and musical instrument. Used in all types of singing and dancing in the Torres Strait Culture.

William first began making Kulap (Matchbox bean/Burnie Bean) shakers in 2006 for a family members Tombstone unveiling celebrations which I danced at alongside my family.

I continued making them and experimented with a variety of different materials. I made them for family, friends, schools and various dance groups. I have displayed and sold my shakers and keyrings at markets, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, UMI Arts Gallery Gift Shop and the Mossman Gorge Centre.  My family support me with collecting them from the rainforest and the beach, and with all aspects of making them