Artist: David Tipuamantumirri | Title: Tiwi Bird | Year: 2021 | Medium: carved wood and ochre | Dimensions: 8 x 5 cm
PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc. Bathurst Island NT Cat No. 774-21
ARTWORK STORY
The practice of Tiwi figure carving stems from Pukumani funeral carving: spectacular carved and painted poles that are placed around the grave during ceremonies for the dead. This figurative element is in keeping with the longstanding innovative and evolving nature of the Tiwi artistic tradition, even though it developed at the time of European arrival and influence.
Pukumani denotes a taboo and is a period of time in which certain tasks are forbidden, including the speaking of the deceased’s name. This accounts somewhat for the plethora of names that Tiwi often have or use, and which have often confused outsiders. The dramatic rituals of Pukumani are mythic in origin. The enacting of the story of how death came into the world is performed over days. It is a story of human desire and misdemeanour that brought to a close an Eden-like creation period, similar to the Dreamtime.
Tokampini (birds) are present throughout the creation story of the Tiwi people. They were mortal beings who bore witness, were messengers, mourners, informers and law makers. They were witnesses to the end of the creation period and were fundamental in making and delivering to mortal Tiwi people the new laws for the land. Tokampini's daughter Bima and her son Jinarni are central figures in the Purrukapali creation myth and song cycle which lies at the centre of Tiwi ceremony and culture.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Bathurst Island Tiwi, NT
BIOGRAPHY
David Tipuamantumirri is a talented Tiwi artist celebrated for his vibrant Ironwood carvings painted with natural ochres. His sculptures, often featuring unique Tiwi figurative heads and intricately carved birds, reflect Tiwi cultural stories and traditions.
David has collaborated on several significant projects. In 2005, he worked with Barry Kantilla to carve and paint a large Tutini sculpture, which was gifted to the departing Ambassador by the Royal Dutch Embassy in Canberra. That same year, he contributed one of four Tutini carvings commissioned by the Tiwi Land Council to commemorate 300 years of European contact with the Tiwi people. In 2008, he partnered with Francis Kerinaiua to create a Tutini for the 30th anniversary of the Tiwi Land Council’s founding. He also collaborated with Barry Kantilla again to produce a Tutini for the Wurrumiyanga Cemetery, a meaningful addition to the community.
One of David’s standout achievements came in 2022 when a collaborative Purukupali figure, created with Gordon Pupangamirri, Barry Kantilla, and Graham Tipungwuti, was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Wynne Prize.
David’s work has been acquired by the Charles Darwin University Art Collection and various private collections.
REFERENCES
Ngaruwanajirri Inc., Bathurst Island
PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc. Bathurst Island NT Cat No. 774-21
ARTWORK STORY
The practice of Tiwi figure carving stems from Pukumani funeral carving: spectacular carved and painted poles that are placed around the grave during ceremonies for the dead. This figurative element is in keeping with the longstanding innovative and evolving nature of the Tiwi artistic tradition, even though it developed at the time of European arrival and influence.
Pukumani denotes a taboo and is a period of time in which certain tasks are forbidden, including the speaking of the deceased’s name. This accounts somewhat for the plethora of names that Tiwi often have or use, and which have often confused outsiders. The dramatic rituals of Pukumani are mythic in origin. The enacting of the story of how death came into the world is performed over days. It is a story of human desire and misdemeanour that brought to a close an Eden-like creation period, similar to the Dreamtime.
Tokampini (birds) are present throughout the creation story of the Tiwi people. They were mortal beings who bore witness, were messengers, mourners, informers and law makers. They were witnesses to the end of the creation period and were fundamental in making and delivering to mortal Tiwi people the new laws for the land. Tokampini's daughter Bima and her son Jinarni are central figures in the Purrukapali creation myth and song cycle which lies at the centre of Tiwi ceremony and culture.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Bathurst Island Tiwi, NT
BIOGRAPHY
David Tipuamantumirri is a talented Tiwi artist celebrated for his vibrant Ironwood carvings painted with natural ochres. His sculptures, often featuring unique Tiwi figurative heads and intricately carved birds, reflect Tiwi cultural stories and traditions.
David has collaborated on several significant projects. In 2005, he worked with Barry Kantilla to carve and paint a large Tutini sculpture, which was gifted to the departing Ambassador by the Royal Dutch Embassy in Canberra. That same year, he contributed one of four Tutini carvings commissioned by the Tiwi Land Council to commemorate 300 years of European contact with the Tiwi people. In 2008, he partnered with Francis Kerinaiua to create a Tutini for the 30th anniversary of the Tiwi Land Council’s founding. He also collaborated with Barry Kantilla again to produce a Tutini for the Wurrumiyanga Cemetery, a meaningful addition to the community.
One of David’s standout achievements came in 2022 when a collaborative Purukupali figure, created with Gordon Pupangamirri, Barry Kantilla, and Graham Tipungwuti, was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Wynne Prize.
David’s work has been acquired by the Charles Darwin University Art Collection and various private collections.
REFERENCES
Ngaruwanajirri Inc., Bathurst Island