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| home | news lTiwi myths inspire 'complicated' image of Oz
5 August 2004 - In the beginning of creation, in Tiwi mythology, Murtankala, an old blind women, carrying her three children in a bark basket on her back, came out of the earth at Murupianga, in the south east of Melville island. Her search for food took her north, and her tracks created the Clarence and Dundas straits. While making her way around the island, she decided that it was too large and created the Apsley Strait, that today divides Bathurst from Mellville. She then left her children, having made provisions for them, by introducing animals and vegetation to the bare landmass. Having done this she disappeared without a trace. Her son, Purrukuparli lived with his wife, Bima, and their son, Jinani. Purrukuparli's younger brother Tapara seduced Bima and persuaded her to go into the bush with him, leaving Jinani under a tree. One day, Bima left Jinani too long in the hot sun and he died. Purrukuparli, enraged by the death of his son, struck Bima with a throwing stick and she fled. Later, she was transformed into the curlew bird who continues to wail at night in the bush. Meanwhile, Purrukuparli was also .ghting with Tapara - who was regretful over the events that had passed, and promised to resurrect the dead child within three days. Purrukaparli refused to give Tapara his son. Tapara fled and changed into the moon-man who even now is reincarnated after three days of "death" of darkness every month. As the moon, he still bares the scars of his fight with Purrukuparli. Purrukuparli walked into the sea, with Jinani still in his arms. This is said to be end of the creation period, as Purrukuparli decreed that death should come to the whole of creation. This ancient legend and these characters reappear in the form of Tiwi art, even today, examples of which are on display at Le Meridien hotel in a major exhibition organized by the Australian Embassy. The Tiwi islands, Bathurst and Mellville, are separated from mainland Australia, by the Dudas Strait, enabling a strong culture to be established between its indigenous people, unique for Australians. They speak in a language that is distinct, and has no connection to the other indigenous languages of the mainland. Furthermore, the word Tiwi means "we people" and comes from a time before contact with other indigenous tribes. It is this uniqueness that has allowed Tiwi culture, inextricably linked with the story of the creation, to survive. Kiripuranji, a Tiwi word for "clever with our hands" is the name of the embassy exhibition that opens in Budapest between August 13-31. The exhibition includes 26 pieces; canvasses, works on paper, ceremonial spears, bark baskets and vibrant textiles. The artists, who came together for the exhibition, all work within locally specific Aboriginal community art centers. These centers have allowed artists in Australia to be economically independent and to promote their individual customs and way of life. According to the Australian Ambassador Claire Birgin, who took up post in May, this is an "unique exhibition". She describes it as being a more "accessible" form of art. The animals and vibrant colors are more readily recognizable to those who have not had much experience with aboriginal art. The traditionally colors, limited, "convey quite vividly the light and colors that you get in nature in that part of Australia," she said. The most important thing is that they tell the story of the Tiwi. The exhibition has been touring since the July 22, 2002 and will continue its perambulations until April 2006. It has been well received, mostly because it is, according to the ambassador, "a once in a lifetime thing to see". Future Australian cultural exhibitions may include Coco's Lunch, a group renowned for their vocal talent, original music and stunning live performances. Asked whether she was intent upon promoting Australian culture in Hungary, the ambassador replied that she was "absolutely determined" to do as much as she can. "The one thing that I would like to do is to promote a more nuanced, complicated image of Australia." The artists selected for the exhibition come from three different Tiwi community art centers. While each artist tends to have his or her own distinct style, there are some areas of commonality in the artwork. This is not only the result of the shared culture of the Tiwi people but also a consequence of the influence of teachers, art coordinators who are employed by the centers. Recently, tourism in Australia has begun to focus on traditional Australian culture and art. With this in mind, community art centers, over the past two decades, have created a much needed economic boost. While art is central to Tiwi life, for ceremonial, personal or pleasurable purposes, it also allows the artist to become economically independent. The Pukumani ceremony, which takes place approximately six months after burial, necessitates objects being commissioned by the relatives of the deceased. As a result, economics and culture are inter-linked. Information
Source: The Budapest Sun Kiripuranji art exhibition at Le Meridien Hotel, Budapest from 13-31 August The Kiripuranji exhibition of Aboriginal art from Australia’s Tiwi Islands – Bathurst and Melville- will go on show in Budapest from 13-31 August at Le Meridien Hotel in Erzsebet ter. Kiripuranji -a Tiwi word meaning ‘clever with our hands’- is an exhibition of 24 pieces including canvasses, works on paper, ceremonial spears, bark baskets and vibrant textiles. It builds on the international reputation already enjoyed by the Tiwi Islands for their carved and painted ceremonial poles. The exhibition will be supported by Australia’s overseas diplomatic missions and is on a world tour as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program. The exhibition was curated by Artbank, assisted by members of the Tiwi Art Network, Jilamara Arts and Craft Association, Munupi Arts and Crafts Association and Tiwi Design Aboriginal Corporation. The works of art on show in Budapest will include large poles known as Tutinis. Reflecting Tiwi social structures, artists often work together collaboratively- especially so in the creation of these poles- or in family groups with different generations continuing family artistic traditions. Source: Australian Embassy, Budapest related links :
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