TORI-JAY MORDEY CV
Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
Specialised in classes with: Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Film, Life Drawing, Animation/Concept Art
ACHIEVEMENTS 2025—2011
2025
Nuie (first international mural)
- First ever international mural, Painted large scale mural in Niue for their new BCN Radio Building sponsored and hand selected by the ABC and the Australian High Commissioner, collaborative piece and mentorship with local artist Jica Vakaafi
Allen & Unwin publishers
- Illustrated front cover of “Moonlight & Dust” young adult novel by Jasmin McGaughey for Allen & Unwin publishers
Magabala Publishers
- Illustrated for “Going for Pippies” children’s book by Wilaaran Hunter Laurie for Magabala Publishers
My Say, My Way book
- Illustrated for “My Say, My Way” for the Attorney Generals Department
2024
Taringa Coles Local
- Open now, featured artist of the Taringa Coles, internal digital mural, external painted mural and personalised tote bags for the store
Magabala Publishers
- OUR FLAG, OUR STORY, author Bernard Namok Jnr, about the Torres Strait Flag, illustrated for the whole book
Vivid Sydeny
- Featured Artist in Vivid Sydney, a yearly grand festival of lights, illustrations of the Torres Strait 8 (2022) were animated and projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons (23rd May – 12th June)
Aesop
- Painted large scale window mural for Aesop, James Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Greenpeace
- Painted mural inside the Greenpeace office in Sydney
Fish Lane
- Painted temporary mural in Fish Lane, South Bank Brisbane
The Big Issue Magazine
- Illustrated for The Big Issue magazine, “Coconut Chronicles” by Lenora Thaker
Allen & Unwin Publishers
- Illustrated front cover of “I’m Not Really Here” young adult novel by Gary Lonesborough for Allen & Unwin publishers
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops
- Painted large scale mural inside the iconic Queensland Museum Rail Workshops in Ipswich
ASOHNS
- Recreated Medical illustrations for ASOHNS, Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops
- Painted large scale mural inside the iconic Queensland Museum Rail Workshops in Ipswich
2023
Griffith University
- Open Day poster illustration, featured on advertisements and billboards through Meanjin/Brisbane
NACCHO NDIS
- Illustrated for animation project, video featured online and televised
Coles Local, Taringa
- Featured Artist, illustrated wallpaper spreads through out store, customized tote bags and painted large scale mural at back entrance
Queensland Government
- Redesigned and illustrated front cover of Youth Strategy Document
Penguin Random House, Australian Publisher
- “Not Here To Make You Comfortable” , illustrated three portraits in the book: Cheree Toka, Evelyn Araluen, Sally Scales
Clancesty - QPAC
- Painted letter L in "LUBLY" mural along side other local First Nation artists
BIGSOUND - Fortitude Valley Mural
- Painted large scale mural for QMusic event BIGSOUND
2022
Penguin Random House, New York Publisher USA
- Illustrated for a children’s book, A Blue Kind of Day Published in America and Australia, also released in the UK and NZ
Blaklash Creative
- Indigenous Art Program, featured in outdoor exhibition, "My Aunty Deb, The Dancer" illustration series in lightboxes on Ann Street
- Painted mural at Amazon, collaboration with Casey Coolwell-Fisher
- Painted mural at Jacaranda Place, (an extended treatment centre for young people who have severe and complex mental health issues)
Carbon Creative
- Illustrated the poster for Reconciliation Week 2022 "Be brave, Make change"
- Reconciliation Week illustrations projected onto the Judith Wright Arts Centre
Jacky Winters / Solid Lines
- Began being represented by established talent agency Jacky Winters via their new First Nation run agency Solid Lines
Our Island Our Home
- Portraits done of the Torres Strait 8
2021
Penguin Random House, New York Publisher USA
- Illustrated for a children’s book, A Blue Kind of Day to be released soon. (2022)
Museum of Brisbane (MoB)
- City In The Sun Exhibition – self-portrait painted during my artist residency (now on display).
- RMXTV, three weeklong public performance art piece, individual artists got a full day to paint on a large purpose-built wall within the museum.
SBS (SBS Voices)
- NAIDOC week, designed six illustrations for written stories for online event.
- STRAIGHT UP ISLANDER, illustration for online event, written stories by writers of Oceania.
YONDER Music Festival
- Featured Artist for merch and poster design.
- Painted live mural during 3 day festival.
Brisbane Street Art Festival
- Painted live mural on temporary wall at Queen Street Mall, portrait of Anisa Nandaula.
- Commissioned to design illustration for t-shirts and merch, shirts worn by all
participants and volunteers during the festival.
- Within These Walls, group exhibition featuring prominent street artist and emerging local artists.
- BMW, commissioned to design an illustrated car wrap (M4 model), promotion for the festival.
- ARTY PARTY, taught an interactive self-portrait workshop during the festival.
Brisbane Powerhouse
- Painted a mural featured at the entrance above the Box office.
2020
The Museum of Brisbane (MoB)
- Created online digital tutorial, replica to the Painting Portraits Workshop previously taught at the museum. (in 2019)
September – December
- Artist Residency, studio within in the museum, commissioned to produce a mural, two art pieces (that the museum now own), and teach portrait workshops during and after the residency.
Superordinary – Brisbane City
- Artist in Residence at 62 Mary Street.
Brisbane Street Art Festival and Cross River Rail
- Painted mural on Albert Street, Cat Gal vs Bat Gal.
Brisbane Street Art Festival and Mirvac
- Painted 15 metre Mural on Ann Street, Mum can we go to the market, painted alongside Gus Eagleton, Ash Taylor and Joel Fergie (The Zookeeper).
SUPERORDINARY – Brisbane 16th – 17th May
- Participant in Live-stream, alongside established and upcoming artist, each of us painting an individual mural on every level of the building, 62 Mary Street.
Brisbane Powerhouse
- Don't you forget about me, commissioned to Illustrate for Backbone Brisbane (alongside four other artists), artwork publicly displayed on the Brisbane Powerhouse billboards.
The Institute of Modern Art (IMA) - Making Art Work
- Commissioned to create featured illustration for the project, it also got published in the Saturday Papers (June 27 - July 3rd, No. 307, page 23).
Melbourne Emerging Writers Festival 2020
- Designed featured illustration for main poster and advertisement.
Griffith University Queensland College of Arts (QCA)
- Taught first year tutorial classes for first year Design students.
All Hallow’s Catholic Girls School – Brisbane
- Artist in residence, mural workshop with Yr10 & Yr11s.
2019
Toombul Shopping Centre
- Painted public mural in the Upstairs venue.
Brisbane Art Matriachs – Women’s Work
- Outdoor exhibition, artwork projected onto William Jolly Bridge, Brisbane.
Queensland Health Brisbane
- Assisted in animated video, Queensland Health uses it when teaching workshops about Indigenous Health. Was head illustrator, concept, and storyboard artist for the project.
All Hallow’s Catholic Girls School – Brisbane
- Artist in residence mural workshop with Yr10 & Yr11s.
The Museum of Brisbane (MoB)
- Taught Illustration and portrait workshops for both adults and children.
Queensland College of Arts - Griffith University
- Invited as special guest to teach Torres Strait Art and Culture workshop.
CURIOCITY - Brisbane Powerhouse
- Commissioned to illustrate
several poster designs correlating with featured sculptures (the
Illustrations also turned into
live animation using an app)
Shadowgram - Queensland State Library
- In correlation with
CURIOCITY, painted a mura at the Queensland State Library.
Penguin Random House Australia
- Stand Up For The Future, a published biography of inspirational young Australians, illustrated a portrait of Mikayla Adam’s.
Melbourne Emerging Writers Festival 2019
- Amazing Babes, Illustrated series of vibrant portraits of women for featured banner and poster.
- Submitted art for their online art exhibition.
Brisbane Street Art Festival
- Within These Walls, participated in group art exhibition featuring prominent national and international street artist.
2018
Penguin Random House Australia
- Shout Out To The Girls, a published biography of Influential Australian Women, illustrated Cathy Freeman’s portrait.
Tres Salsa Mexican Cantina – Hervey Bay
- Design and painted mural outside and inside the restaurant.
- Waitressing, gained 3 months’ work experience.
The Culprit Club – Fortitude Valley Brisbane
- RETURNED, first solo art exhibition featuring 40 intricate hand painted portraits.
Artforce Awards – Brisbane City Council
- Overall winner for Urban Smart Projects for Tagai – a painted traffic light box mural.
Brisbane Street Art Festival - Southbank
- Featured Indigenous artist for live group mural in Southbank, alongside Shani Finch and Julia Townsend.
Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation – Broome WA
- Illustrated children’s early learning book, In The City I See, as part of the Young Arts series.
2017
Institute of Modern Art – Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts Brisbane
- Assisted in installing Ryan Presley’s charcoal mural for Goldin+Senneby Standard Length of a Miracle exhibition.
William Cooper Justice Centre - Judicial College of Victoria
- Commissioned to Illustrated seasonal greeting cards for NAIDOC Week themed “Because Of Her We Can”.
Maiwar Vobrant Lane Way Project - Brisbane CBD
- Artworks publicly displayed in light boxes at King George Square.
SBS – Fiona Foley K’Gari (Fraser Island) interactive website
- Head Illustrator, concept, and storyboard artist for the project (it became a finalist in the UNAA Media Awards, two prestigious web design awards, and showcased International at Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam).
The Culprit Club – Fortitude Valley Brisbane
- No Such Luck exhibition (13th October) exhibited artworks alongside prominent Australian street artists.
Meridan State College - Sunshine Coast
- Artist in Residence (July
21-23), taught workshops
with indigenous students and
art students in yr7, 9 and 10.
Urban Smart Projects – Tingalpa Brisbane
- Candy Kids, painted public traffic light box mural on Belmont Road.
2016
Queensland College of Art - Griffith University
- Successfully graduated Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
- Winner of Oxlades Art Essential Award.
- Group printmaking Exhibition – si NEK di kee.
- Charity Art Exhibition, participated in Fundraising event, 50 hours of Printmaking for Disability Art Workshop.
Urban Smart Projects - Brisbane Charlotte Street
- Painted traffic light box mural, Tagai, near Eagle Street.
Jugglers Art Space - Fortitude Valley Brisbane
- Group exhibition with indigenous art students from QCA, Kultcha.
2015
The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) – Brisbane
- Commissioned to work for Richard Bell, illustration for APT8 Kids project handbook.
Indigenous Art Exhibition – St Andrews Hospital Brisbane
- Group exhibition with indigenous art students from QCA, Art From the Margins.
2014
White Raven International Children’s Book
- Bakir and Bi (2013) book chosen for translation into different languages in Germany.
G20 Brisbane
- Southbank BRISBANE monument, was head designer for the letter “S”, painted alongside indigenous art students from QCA.
Clancestry Celebration – Southbank Brisbane
- (Multi-Cultural Community Event) Assisted in Torres Strait weaving workshop.
2013
Queensland State Library – Brisbane
- Featured on front page of Autumn’s “What’s on” at the Queensland State Library (for Bakir and Bi story book).
Deadly Awards – Sydney Opera House
- Bakir and Bi Nominate for Deadly Awards.
Community Indigenous Mural Project - West End Brisbane
- Head designer and participated, painted mural with first year students from Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Arts – QCA.
Queensland College of Arts - Griffith University
- Accepted into University to study Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
2012
National Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship Competition - Queensland State Library Brisbane, BLACK&WRITE
- Winner for Bakir and Bi – Author Jillian Boyd, and I illustrated (Torres Strait children storybook).
Creative Generation Excellence Award
- Recipient of Visual Art Award & Young Artist Award in Drama.
Urangan State High School - Hervey Bay Fraser Coast
- Successfully graduated.
- Recipient of Certificate of distinction for undeniable passion for Arts.
- Recipient of Indigenous Student Encouragement Award, Involvement Distinction Award & Greg Stout Cultural Award.
- Selected to display artworks at Maryborough Regional Arts Council, Student’s Film Award Night.
2011
Urangan State High School Art Exhibition – Hervey Bay Fraser Coast
- Winner of Senior Art Award.
- Winner of Junior Art Award.
