Artist: Justin Puruntatameri | Title: Tiwi Map | Year: - | Medium: ochres on canvas | Dimensions: 160 x 100 cm
PROVENANCE
Cat No. MUUJUS890
The Jacquie McPhee Collection
ARTWORK STORY
The Tiwi map serves as a conceptual guide, marking and locating significant places for both the artist and his community. Its ochre colors mirror those worn by ceremonial performers, and the painting technique mimics the jilamara—traditional body paint designs used during ceremonies. The paint is applied with a traditional Tiwi wooden comb, crafted from locally sourced Ironwood.
ARTIST PROFILE
COMMUNITY/REGION
Munupi Point, Yapilika (Maxwell Creek), Melville Island
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Justin Puruntatameri is the most senior lawman and custodian of the Tiwi Islands. Born at Kadipuwu on Melville Island before European settlement, he later lived near the Garden Point mission in a bark house. Taught important ceremonies and Tiwi songs by his father, Noel Maralampuwi, Justin is one of the few remaining speakers of the old Tiwi dialect. He continues to teach Tiwi language to children in Pirlangimpi. In 2010, he began painting at Munupi Arts and Crafts, using ochre to transfer his traditional body painting (Jilamara) designs onto canvas and linen.
REFERENCES
Isaacs, Jennifer. Tiwi: Art, History, Culture. Melbourne: The Miegunyah Press, 2012. Page 272.
PROVENANCE
Cat No. MUUJUS890
The Jacquie McPhee Collection
ARTWORK STORY
The Tiwi map serves as a conceptual guide, marking and locating significant places for both the artist and his community. Its ochre colors mirror those worn by ceremonial performers, and the painting technique mimics the jilamara—traditional body paint designs used during ceremonies. The paint is applied with a traditional Tiwi wooden comb, crafted from locally sourced Ironwood.
ARTIST PROFILE
COMMUNITY/REGION
Munupi Point, Yapilika (Maxwell Creek), Melville Island
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Justin Puruntatameri is the most senior lawman and custodian of the Tiwi Islands. Born at Kadipuwu on Melville Island before European settlement, he later lived near the Garden Point mission in a bark house. Taught important ceremonies and Tiwi songs by his father, Noel Maralampuwi, Justin is one of the few remaining speakers of the old Tiwi dialect. He continues to teach Tiwi language to children in Pirlangimpi. In 2010, he began painting at Munupi Arts and Crafts, using ochre to transfer his traditional body painting (Jilamara) designs onto canvas and linen.
REFERENCES
Isaacs, Jennifer. Tiwi: Art, History, Culture. Melbourne: The Miegunyah Press, 2012. Page 272.