The NGV is bringing the largest ever exhibition of Tiwi art to Melbourne this November, showcasing 70 artists and nearly 300 works in Tiwi.
The works presented in Tiwi date from 1911 right up to the present day, but don’t come expecting a chronological tour. Instead, the exhibition will present the works in the context of Tiwi art and culture, including their two primary cultural events: the pukumani (mourning) and kulama (coming of age) ceremonies.
With such a wide timeline to work with, Tiwi showcases artists such as Timothy Cook (who in 2012 became the first Tiwi artist to win a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award) as well as Nancy Henry, Cornelia Tipuamantumirri, Jean Baptiste Apuatimi and Kutuwulumi Kitty Kantilla. Emerging artists like Johnathon Bush and Pedro Wonaeamirri are also represented.
Tiwi will feature a large collection of pukumani tutini – poles created for mourning ceremonies – which will be presented in a way reminiscent of a forest. These ironwood poles are painted with ochres and are ornately carved, with some tutini featured in Tiwi dating back to 1912.
In addition to the tutini display, visitors to Tiwi can expect to see vibrant pwoja (comb) painted canvases, ceramics, batik textiles, examples of Tiwi printmaking and ochre paintings on canvas, paper and bark. Tiwi will also feature the world premiere of Yoyi, a moving image work from the Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association.
Tiwi runs from November 23 until March 8, 2021 at NGV Australia, the Ian Potter Centre.
