SPEAKERS

Pedro Wonaeamirri, originally from Pirlangimpi on Melville Island, returned to the Tiwi Islands in 1989 and moved to Milikapiti the same year Jilamara Arts was founded. A senior cultural leader with deep knowledge of the Tiwi language, songs, and dances, Pedro is Vice President of Jilamara Arts and a Director at ANKA. His artworks, which draw from ceremonial body painting and pukumani pole designs, are held in collections across Australia and internationally. Pedro’s practice is rooted in traditional Tiwi design, using ochres from Milikapiti and applying them with fine detail using the traditional kayimwagakimi comb. His work reflects both his cultural heritage and ongoing contributions to Tiwi art, culture, and ceremony.

Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri began painting with Jilamara Arts after leaving school at 17 and has been a key figure in its growth since the late 1980s. Mentored by his father, renowned carver Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri, Patrick learned traditional Tiwi carving, painting, and spearmaking techniques. Now a senior artist and father of five, Patrick is known for his expert carvings of his totem, the jurrukukuni (owl), and leads the Jilamara carving workshop named in his father’s honour. His work is held in major national collections, including the NGA, NGV, and QAG. Recent highlights include commissions for 'Paralika tutini Jilamara' (2019) and the 22nd Biennale of Sydney (2020).

Janice Murray Pungautiji, a key member of Jilamara Arts since 1995, is renowned for her paintings, prints, and sculptures, some of which are installed in Darwin and Sydney. Drawing on traditional Tiwi culture, her work blends body painting, pukumani pole design, and bark painting, often featuring Tiwi birds that reflect the rich totemic life of the islands. Janice’s homeland is Tinganu on eastern Melville Island, and her ceremonial totem is Jarrangini (turtle). She paints exclusively with natural ochres collected locally.

Columbiere Tipungwuti, a vibrant personality on the Tiwi Islands, is quickly gaining recognition as an artist. Known for his infectious laughter and dynamic presence, he is a skilled dancer who frequently performs for the art centre and film productions. His artwork draws on parlingarri (old/Creation time) stories, Tiwi ceremonies, and jilamara (body paint designs), with a growing focus on depictions of Japarra (the Moonman) from the Tiwi creation story.

Arthurina Moreen is a young emerging language and culture expert, as well as a rising star in the Northern Territory AFL women’s football league. She began working at Jilamara Arts in 2021 as a screen printer, and has since learnt to paint from senior artists at the art centre, developing her own bright and colourful designs. Her recent work continues the tradition of jilamara with a new collection of paintings on stringybark, reflecting the deeply embedded cultural practices tied to the pukumani and kulama ceremonies.

Hannah Raisin has worked as art centre manager since late 2018 at Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, a Tiwi-governed arts organisation based in Milikapiti, Melville Island. For 6 years at Jilamara, she has worked closely with Tiwi artists to develop their art careers and help manage the gallery, museum, and studios.