Artist: Phillip Puruntatameri | Title: Kayimwagakimi jilamara | Year: 2020 | Medium: ochre on linen | Dimensions: 80 x 30 cm
PROVENANCE
Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, Community Code: 320-20
ARTWORK STORY
Kayimwagakimi is the traditional Tiwi painting 'comb'. Made from bloodwood or ironwood, it is about 15cm high with a single row of teeth. The comb is dabbed in ochre and applied to the painting surface resulting in a straight line of fine dots, a process which is repeated over and over. Kayimwagakimi and marlipinyini (a fine stick or pandanus frond chewed to form a brush) have largely been replaced by modern brushes but a handful of Tiwi still use traditional tools.
ARTIST PROFILE
COMMUNITY/ REGION
Tiwi Islands, NT
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Phillip Puruntatameri is an emerging artist who began painting and carving recently. In 2020, he joined the Jilamara Art Centre after moving to Milikapiti from his father's country, Pirlangimpi (Garden Point). He hails from a lineage of notable Tiwi artists, including Black Joe on his mother's side, and is related to Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri, for whom the Jilamara carving shed is named.
PROVENANCE
Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, Community Code: 320-20
ARTWORK STORY
Kayimwagakimi is the traditional Tiwi painting 'comb'. Made from bloodwood or ironwood, it is about 15cm high with a single row of teeth. The comb is dabbed in ochre and applied to the painting surface resulting in a straight line of fine dots, a process which is repeated over and over. Kayimwagakimi and marlipinyini (a fine stick or pandanus frond chewed to form a brush) have largely been replaced by modern brushes but a handful of Tiwi still use traditional tools.
ARTIST PROFILE
COMMUNITY/ REGION
Tiwi Islands, NT
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Phillip Puruntatameri is an emerging artist who began painting and carving recently. In 2020, he joined the Jilamara Art Centre after moving to Milikapiti from his father's country, Pirlangimpi (Garden Point). He hails from a lineage of notable Tiwi artists, including Black Joe on his mother's side, and is related to Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri, for whom the Jilamara carving shed is named.