Mary Magdalene was born on Bathurst Island and grew up in the Mission at Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu). She carved and painted Pukumani poles for ceremonies.  Mary began painting at Jilamara in 2002, painting tungas, bark paintings, works on paper and canvas.   Mary Magdalene is the mother of Jilamara carvers John Tipungwuti and Pius Tipungwuti, and aunt-mother to painter Brian Tipungwuti.   Her first inclusion…

Pius Tipungwuti has a long history working as an artist at Jilamara Arts and Crafts. He remains a strong leader in governance being an early influence in the development of the art centre and has held the positions of President, Public Officer and Treasurer. His tutini (pukumani poles) can be found around the world from…

“I like doing my painting. The truth is, i’m a bit restless and its hard to get to sleep at night. Doing my painting helps me sleep better.” Tina Patlas began painting for Jilamara Arts and Craft Association in 2002. Although Tina’s traditional country spans areas of south west Melville Island and south east Bathurst…

Connie began painting at Jilamara Arts in 2010. She is known for painting the Tiwi creation story of Purukapali, Bima (Wai-ai) & Japara. Connie also paints imagery depicting bush tucker both flora and fauna, found on the Tiwi Islands. She is a strong Tiwi woman, who passes on important Tiwi cultural knowledge to her five…

Fiona lives in Milikapiti raising her young son Jayden. When Jayden is at school Fiona likes to paint at Jilamara where she has been a member artist since 2016. Fiona says, “I like making paintings in the Tiwi way but also in my own way. I like painting bush tucker from the land and the…

An established artist at Jilamara, Geraldine has been painting at the art centre since the early 2002. Geraldine learnt from the older people about Tiwi culture. When she gets old she will pass it on to her grandchildren.  Geraldine says, ” I love painting and coming to work at the art centre everyday. It is my life. I…

“I saw ceremony funerals here at Milikapiti. My painting is coming from ceremony I saw here.  I like to go bush, help get buffalo meat, cook with fire on coals – smokey!” Conrad Tipungwuti has been painting and creating prints at Jilamara since the late 1990’s, he now lives with aged care on Bathurst Island.…