TiwiArt

Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association is located at Milikapiti (Snake Bay) on Melville Island. The Tiwi word 'Jilamara', which roughly translates to ‘design’ refers to the intricate ochre patterning traditionally applied to the bodies of dancers and the surface of carved poles during the Pukumani funeral ceremony.

The non-profit Aboriginal Corporation, owned by member artists, was first established in 1989 as an adult education centre focussing on fabric printing. A reputation for fabric was soon shifted by the widely recognised painting style of key figures such as Kitty Kantilla (C.1928-2003) and Freda Warlapinni (C. 1928-2003) who produced distinctive works on paper and linen.

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, spurred by artists such as Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri.

Fine art print production has also been a long tradition of Jilamara with many limited edition works holding an important place within the oeuvre of Jilamara’s artists. Inclusive of etchings, screen prints and lithographs, artists draw inspiration from ceremony, body paint (yirrinkiripwoja) and scarification designs (minga), clan totems and the Tiwi creation story. Designs passed on by family are also an inspiration to artists developing their own particular style – their own jilamara.

Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association participate in an ongoing exhibition program at public and private galleries while also undertaking projects across community development, capacity building and cultural maintenance. Artworks from the centre are held in various major public and private collections in Australia, along with key collections overseas.

The centre also houses the Mulluwurri Museum - a collection of carvings, Tiwi artifacts, prints and early photographs from the region by Baldwin Spencer. The museum was first established in 1988 and the collection is held in trust for the Milikapiti community.

Contact Jilamara

Barry Hayes, Art Centre Manager
Email: jilamara@tiwiart.com

Cher Breeze, Art Centre Coordinator
Email: jilamara@tiwiart.com

Tel: ( 61 8) 8978 3901
Fax: ( 61 8) 8978 3903

PMB 258, Snake Bay
Winnellie NT 0822