Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Art

A selection of paintings showing the styles from this Aboriginal art region - some paintings may still be available for sale, while some may have been sold.

 

Miyaringa Jilamara by Raelene Kerinauia Liddy

Raelene Kerinauia Liddy  |  Miyaringa Jilamara

Jap 018024  |  natural ochres on linen  |  120 x 90 cm

Jilamara by Brian Farmer Illortaminni

Brian Farmer Illortaminni  |  Jilamara

Jap 015739  |  natural ochres on canvas  |  110 x 85 cm

Sold

Jaliwaki – Bush Potato by Dino Wilson

Dino Wilson   |  Jaliwaki – Bush Potato

Jap 018026  |  natural ochres on linen  |  150 x 150 cm

Sold

Jilamara by Dymphna Kerinaiua

Dymphna Kerinaiua   |  Jilamara

Jap 018028  |  natural ochres on linen  |  200 x 60 cm

Yirrinkiripwoja – Body Paint Design by Michelle Bush

Michelle Bush   |  Yirrinkiripwoja – Body Paint Design

Jap 018023  |  natural ochres on canvas  |  120 x 60 cm

Jilamara by Raymond Bush

Raymond Bush   |  Jilamara

Jap 018033  |  natural ochres on canvas  |  90 x 81 cm

Jilamara by Dymphna Kerinaiua

Dymphna Kerinaiua   |  Jilamara

Jap 015751  |  natural ochres on canvas  |  88 x 56 cm

Purukupali by Cyril James Kerinauia

Cyril James Kerinauia  |  Purukupali

Jap 010564  |  cast bronze  |  height 35 cm

Jinani by Cyril James Kerinauia

Cyril James Kerinauia  |  Jinani

Jap 010565  |  cast bronze  |  height 59 cm

Ngiya Jilamara VIII by Janice Murray Pungautiji

Janice Murray Pungautiji  |  Ngiya Jilamara VIII

Jap 015736  |  natural ochres on canvas  |  30 x 30 cm

Kulama by Timothy Cook

Timothy Cook  |  Kulama

Jap 009441  |  ochre on linen  |  52 x 45 cm

Pukamani Pole by Tess Tipungwuti

Tess Tipungwuti  |  Pukamani Pole

Jap 010554  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 70 cm

Jilamara – Body Paint Design by Ian Cook

Ian Cook  |  Jilamara – Body Paint Design

Jap 009676  |  ochre on linen  |  48 x 48 cm

The Tiwi Islands, located  in the Timor Sea 100km north of Darwin, are home to the Tiwi people and consist of two main islands, Melville Island, (5,788 sq kms) and Bathurst Island  (2,200 sq Kms). The Apsely Strait divides the islands and separates them from the Australian mainland.

The Tiwi Islands lie in the tropical zone and Tiwi people identify three separate seasons – the dry season (smoke), the build up to the Wet (cicadas song) and the Wet (tropical storms). The seasons are the key to the Tiwi cycle of life, determining the availability of bush foods and the appropriate ceremonial rituals.

The Tiwi Islands are also the home of three separate art centres –Tiwi Design, Jilamara and Munupi Arts and Crafts. The signature style for Tiwi artists is deeply embedded in the cultural and ceremonial practices of the islands. Tiwi Design is located at the settlement of Nguiu on the south-eastern corner of Bathurst Island. Nguiu township is home to about 1500 people and the art centre began work in 1968, evolving a fabric printing business based on wood block printing. Today the art centre comprises a painting studio, wood carving area, pottery studio, screen printing studio, plus office and gallery.

Tiwi social structure is based on skin groups which are matrilineal, being inherited down the mother’s line and determining which future marriage arrangements are acceptable. The role of ceremonies is vitally important in Tiwi society as part of the oral cultural tradition. Ceremony format may vary due to the local circumstances and time, but remains embedded in the cultural tradition of the past. The dominant ceremonial events that are performed are the annual Kulama Ceremony and the Pukumani funeral ceremony.

The Tiwi Creation stories tell of the Palaneri, the Dreaming at the beginning of time, where the Tiwi Islands and people were created from the darkness that existed before. The cultural stories and ceremonies provide the basis for contemporary Tiwi art which includes painting, carving, sculpture and printing.

Tiwi Carvings & Sculptures – Exhibition