Artist: Graham Tipungwuti | Title: Tiwi Bird | Year: | Medium: ochres on carved ironwood | Dimensions: 30 x 8 cm
PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc, Bathurst Island
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
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Graham Tipungwuti is a talented Tiwi artist who transitioned from crafting furniture for local homes and businesses to creating intricate carved artworks. His art has been featured in significant exhibitions and at notable events including the “Works on Paper” touring exhibition with Art Back Nets from 1996 to 2000, the 2002 “Tayikuwapi” Ngaruwanajirri Group Exhibition in Batchelor, NT, and the Ngaruwanajirri Group Exhibition at the Supreme Court in Darwin during the 2006 Darwin Festival. Additionally, Graham’s art was part of the historic 2011 retrospective “Ngaruwanajirri: Helping One Another” at the CDU Art Gallery, which celebrated the collective works of Ngaruwanajirri artists.
In 2022, Graham collaborated with artists Gordon Pupangamirri, Barry Kantilla, and David Tipuamantumirri on a carving titled “First Death on the Tiwi Islands,” which was selected for the prestigious Wynne Prize.
REFERENCES
Ngaruwanajirri. (n.d.). Graham Tipungwuti. Retrieved April 15, 2025
PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc, Bathurst Island
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
LANGUAGE
Tiwi
BIOGRAPHY
Graham Tipungwuti is a talented Tiwi artist who transitioned from crafting furniture for local homes and businesses to creating intricate carved artworks. His art has been featured in significant exhibitions and at notable events including the “Works on Paper” touring exhibition with Art Back Nets from 1996 to 2000, the 2002 “Tayikuwapi” Ngaruwanajirri Group Exhibition in Batchelor, NT, and the Ngaruwanajirri Group Exhibition at the Supreme Court in Darwin during the 2006 Darwin Festival. Additionally, Graham’s art was part of the historic 2011 retrospective “Ngaruwanajirri: Helping One Another” at the CDU Art Gallery, which celebrated the collective works of Ngaruwanajirri artists.
In 2022, Graham collaborated with artists Gordon Pupangamirri, Barry Kantilla, and David Tipuamantumirri on a carving titled “First Death on the Tiwi Islands,” which was selected for the prestigious Wynne Prize.
REFERENCES
Ngaruwanajirri. (n.d.). Graham Tipungwuti. Retrieved April 15, 2025