- Title: Purukapali, Wai-ai & Jinani 289r-14
- Artist: Jimmy Mungatopi
- Region: Tiwi Islands
- Art Centre: Jilamara Arts and Crafts
- Medium: Etching
- Collection:
- Dimensions: 39.5 x 30 cm
- Edition Size: 10
- Price ($AUD): $ 385
Artwork Story
Purukuparli and Bima were the first Tiwi man and woman and they lived in harmony with their world. One day hunting, Bima was seduced by her brother in law (husbands brother) Taparra. Tragically, her baby son Jinani was left sleeping in the shade, and as the lovers lingered the sun fell on the baby and he died of heatstroke.
Purukuparli was warned of this disaster by Tokwampini the bird, and he was enraged and grief stricken. Accusing his brother, the two men fought violently, with Taparra finally retreating in defeat to become the moon. Bima became the curlew, and is ofen heard calling out her remorse in the dusk.
Jinani’s was the first death to come to the Tiwi people, and Purukuparli performed the first and most elaborate pukumani ceremony, finishing by wading into the sea with his baby son’s body. From that day forward, all Tiwi would die and be honoured
through pukumani ceremonies.
This etching by Jimmy Mungatopi was produced in collaboration with printmaker Martin King from the Australian Print Workshop in Melbourne. The Australian Print Workshop (APW) has an ongoing relationship with Jilamara Arts & Crafts, which began in 1995. Since then APW has undertaken several return trips to the Island. These visits have been complemented by visits to the Melbourne workshop by several of the Tiwi artists.
The Tiwi word Jilamara, which roughly translates to the English word ‘design’ refers to the intricate ochre patterning traditionally applied to the bodies of dancers and the surface of carved poles during the Pukumani (funeral) and Kulama (initiation/yam) ceremonies.
An individual design and aesthetic is highly valued by Tiwi artists and is representative of their personal interpretation of the traditional Tiwi design or jilamara. Artists draw continual inspiration from body paint (yirrinkiripwoja) and scarification designs (minga) as well as clan totems, ceremony and the Tiwi creation story. Designs passed on by family are also an inspiration to Tiwi artists developing their own particular style or jilamara.
Jilamara Arts & Crafts was originally established in 1989 as an adult education centre focusing on fabric printing. Today artists work from a palette of natural ochres to produce paintings on linen, canvas, paper and bark. Also renowned for sculptural works the tradition of carving has continued through the art centre.
Prints produced by Jilamara artists have been acquired for major public collections including: the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria.
© Jilamara Arts and Crafts