'Tokwampini, the bird' Pius Tipungwuti

Established in 1989, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association is owned and governed by Tiwi Artists from the Milikapiti community on Melville Island. The Tiwi Islands are north of Darwin and have been home to Tiwi people since parlingarri (a long time ago). The Milikapiti community is on the coast overlooking the Arafura Sea, and is considered to be a happy place, with strong families and strong culture. Jilamara artists are supported to build careers as internationally renowned artists through workshops, training, support and representation. The Jilamara totems are carved from wood, featuring the Tjurukukuni (the owl) who acted as a messenger for the Tiwi lovers Wai-pa and Taparra, guiding them to one another through the bush; as well as the Tokwampini who was the messenger in the pukumani mythology and was the catalyst for the morality of Tiwi people.

Dimensions: 33cm H

Materials: Ochre, ironwood

Vessels: Transcending Tradition unveils a curated collection of exceptional artworks that are inherently imbued with deep cultural significance and stories. The featured Artists are custodians of their respective cultural heritages, each expressing a unique artistic language that bridges revered traditions and modern-day realities. The artworks transcend traditional ideals of Indigenous art, celebrating the spiritual, material, and ecological wisdom that has been passed down through generations of the artists’ lineage. Not merely object-based artworks, they are vessels of history, knowledge, and identity, offering an intimate glimpse into the profound relationship between the artists and their ancestral lands.

Please note: These works are made from ochre and ironwood, and due to the nature of these materials visible cracks and an uneven surface are apparent. These are part of the artworks composition. 

This work is only available for PICKUP from Australian Design Centre.