Maryanne Mungatopi
Maryanne Mungatopi was active at Jilamara Arts and Crafts between 1994 until 2002. A popular theme in her artworks was the Tiwi creation story about Purukapali, Wai-ai and their son, Jinani. She also carved tutini / memorial poles and other ironwood sculptures.
Born on Melville Island, Mugatopi studied visual art at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. She undertook residencies in printmaking and excelled in the etching technique. A visit to the Museum of Victoria in 1997 to view Tiwi material culture prompted the making of a group of prints by Mungatopi and fellow Tiwi artist, Janice Murray, entitled Mamirnikuwi – Mob of Women.
In 1997 Mungatopi and fellow Tiwi artist Janice Murray were invited to Melbourne to work at the Australian Print Workshop. An aim of their visit was to examine the Tiwi collections at the Museum of Victoria, which include objects collected by Walter Baldwin Spencer between 1911 and 1915, some of the earliest Tiwi material in existence. The artists were particularly impressed by the ceremonial regalia in the collection; these included ‘parmajini’ armbands, bark baskets called ‘tunga’, and notably the old style of ‘jilamara’ or painted designs. The Museum of Victoria’s collection made an indelible impression on the artists. Mungatopi and Murray realised that some of the traditional practices had begun to disappear and that it was up to them and other artists to encourage younger Tiwi to continue these customs.
Skin: Wantaringuwi (Sun)