Bede Tungutalum

Born at Wurrumiyanga, on the south coast of Bathurst Island, Northern territory, Bede Tungutalum was inspired by his father, the renowned sculptor Gabrel Tungutalum, who taught him how to carve. As a boy, he loved to sketch and at school, was introduced to woodblock printing. He went on to develop his skills in different printing media, (etching, Lino and textile) as well as in painting and the carving of ceremonial pukumani poles. With fellow artist Giovanni Tipungwuti, he co-founded Tiwi Design (1968), an art centre dedicated to the production and showcasing of Tiwi art, not a well-known tradition at the time. Today however, Tiwi Art has a distinct and vibrant presence in Australian museums and galleries. In 2004, after seeing an altered and distorted copy of his representation of Owl Man on the internet, Bede approached Arts Law in Sydney, who took on his case. The images were removed from sale on several international websites and compensation was paid. The case highlighted the necessity of copyright for the increasing versatility and popularity of Tiwi designs. The introduction of screen printing at the art centre spearheaded a new focus on printing designs on textiles. In conjunction with the Tiwi women of Bima Wear, Bede’s designs were incorporated into the design of women’s clothing. In 2020 he won the Special Recognition Award at the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Award. (Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair). Bede has travelled to New Guinea and Canada and undertaken a residency at Flinders University, SA. He has been recognised for the vital role he has played in invigorating the unique Tiwi culture, one of the most ancient and diverse cultures that still thrives today.