Tiwi Jilamara showcases the artists from Milikapiti in the Tiwi Islands. The artists are both founding members and second generation members of the Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association in Milikapiti, which nestles in Snake Bay on the Northern side of the island looking out to the Arafura Sea. Tiwi is the shared language of Bathurst and Melville Islands and the name of the Indigenous people of the islands. Tiwi art is an expression of life in the unique environment of the islands and a culture, laws and lifestyle that have flourished for thousands of years including an ancestral past expressed through mythology and a ceremony.
The pieces appear to be abstract but are rich with symbolic meaning, and based in design from pwoja (body painting) and pukumani (burial poles). Ochres are collected on Milikapiti (Melville Island) by the Tiwi artists, then ground and made into pigment. The paintings showcase the great strength that Tiwi artists demonstrate in translating their culture into fine arts. The rich colours of the earth, the footsteps of the Tiwi ancestors and the artist's expression come together in this beautiful exhibition.
Artists include: Marietta Tidungwuti, Aileen Henry, Kitty Kutuwalumi Purawarrumpatu, Ian Cook Mungatopi, Chris Tipiloura, Janice Murray, Patrick (Andrew) Freddy Puruntatameri, Sheila Puruntatameri, Katrina Kerinauia, Mariecarmel Kerinauia, Teresina Farmer, Robert Edward Puruntatameri, Nicholas Mario, Romolo Tipiloura, Francine Timaepatua, Karen Anne Puruntatameri, Nina Puruntatameri, Jocelyn Black, Linus Warlapinni and Kenny Brown.
Warlukurlangu Artists is a prolific and successful Aboriginal-owned art centre in Central Australia and has work in collections across Australia and internationally. The principle aim of the art centre is to share Warlpiri culture and to increase awareness about Aboriginal culture in general. Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Association is the guardian of the Jukurrpa, the law and culture of the Warlpiri and Anmatyerre people living at Yuendumu. These acrylic paintings, as a collection, are a powerful tool of contemporary artistic expression, demonstrating diverse and collaborative methodology, and the artist’s ability to capture the vitality of Jukurrpa and its essential, vital integration with country. The artists’ Jukurrpa stories are vast in time and space, yet simultaneously acute, personal and immediate.
This exhibition includes exciting work from both emerging and established artists: Shorty Jangala Robertson Joy Nangala Brown Pauline Napangardi Gallagher Polly Anne Napangardi Dixon Christine Napanangka Michaels Phyllis Napurrurla Williams Sarah Napurrurla White Pauline Nampijinpa Singleton Geraldine Napangardi Granites Magda Nakamarra Curtis Maisie Nungarrayi Ward Mary Napangardi Butcher Steven Jupurrurla Nelson Chantelle Nampijinpa Robertson Corinne Nampijinpa Ryan Christine Nakamarra Curtis Angelina Nampiijnpa Tasman Sabrina Nangala Robertson Daphne Napurrurla White Serena Nakamarra Shannon Janelle Napurrurla Wilson Saraeva Napangardi Marshall Roxanne Nungarrayi Martin Athena Nangala Granites Marlene Napurrurla Ross Molly Napurrurla Martin Lorraine Nungarrayi Granites