Raymond Bush has been painting at Jilamara since he was 16. He learnt painting from his Grandfather Pakapanali (Paddy Bush). He carries his Grandfather’s knowledge to keep his Tiwi tradition alive. Raymond has developed his own distinct style of Jilamara. He incorporates Tiwi wildlife into his paintings such as jarrakalani (turtle), marntuwujini (dugong), Tokwampuwi (birds) and…

I was born in Darwin and grew up in Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu) on Bathurst Island. After I finished school at St Johns in Darwin I came back to Wurrumiyanga to look after my younger brother and sisters. I started working at the school as a teachers assistant, and after a few years I furthered my education…

“My father taught me everything about carving, how to use carving tools, what wood to use and what colours. He was the late great Murrunungumirri (Paddy Freddy)” – Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri Patrick began painting with Jilamara Arts and Craft when he left school at 17. He has been part of the organisation as it has…

Rachel was born in Milikapiti. Her husband was Murrunungumirri (Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri) a senior Tiwi carver and Culture man.  Together with Murrunungumirri Rachel raised 5 children. She now has many grandchildren and some great grandchildren that she teaches Tiwi Culture to. She was a sewer at the women’s centre before starting her career as an…

Chris Black was born at Milikapiti Community, where he has spent the majority of his life. He is part of a large clan, consisting of three main families – the Bush, Black and Brown family names make up the majority of the Miartuwee Clan. Chris attended high school at Kormilda College in Darwin. On return…

‘My name is Jimmy Mungatopi. I work at Jilamara Arts in Milikapti on Melville Island. I’ve been coming to this art centre all my life. The old people said “join in – we want to pass this place on to you young people”. I was trying to figure out what to do with my life – how…

Delilah Freddy Puruntatameri has exhibited regularly in Jilamara group exhibitions since 1996, and had her first solo exhibition of works on paper at Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne in 2003. Delilah is the daughter of the late renowned artist Paddy Freddy Puruntatameri, and sister to leading Tiwi carvers Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri and Matthew Freddy Puruntatameri. She has…

Jacinta was born in Darwin but now lives in Milikapiti. She currently works at the Milikapiti store, on days when she isn’t painting.    “The patterns I use come from my head, I don’t just have one type.”   Her work has been described by other Tiwi people as simmilar to old tiwi patterns.   Jacinta feels…

Colleen was born in Darwin and has been a long time resident of Milikapiti. Colleen is an artist and part-time arts worker at Jilamara. Tiwi culture plays a very important role in her life, she is a strong Tiwi woman who teaches culture to the next generation. Colleen’s bark painting, Mulypinyini amintiya pwanga, is held by…

Glen Farmer Illortamini was born between the Mango and Mulana trees where the last old house was standing at Milikapiti.  He grew up in Milikapiti and went to the local school.  Glen became a member artist at Jilamara Arts and Crafts in 1994 and has been an artsworker and cultural liaison officer for many years…