Given the the lack of alternative information it is assumed that these 'objects' – [tings] – are 'Tiwi cultural products' [1] • [2] and possibly sold outside the community as 'souvenirs'. These two [tings] were purchased at an auction among other Northern Territory Aboriginal 'artefacts' and their most likely source is one of the Tiwi communities on Bathurst or Melville Island in the Northern Territory.
The painting here is typical of Tiwi cultural production and the body painting that flows into every aspect of Tiwi cultural expression.
In 1993 two Tiwi artists from Melville Ialand, Leon Puruntatameri and John Tipungwuti, who were artist in residence at the Tasmanian School of Art Launceston. During their residency a WW2 veteran 'Roy Pope' came to light with documentation of his time in their community in 1941. Roy had spent time on Melville Island in 1941 in somewhat unusual circumstances.
He returned some spears he was had as a memento of that time to be returned to Jilamara for the community's museum. Albeit a black and white photograph he had a photograph of a painted "message stick" that was not all that unlike these painted shells – [tings]
Any other information relevant to the origin of these 'works' would be appreciated.
Click on an image to enlarge
Photograph Roy Pope 1941 Melville Is
Men arriving for ‘Pukumani ceremony’ Roy happened
upon and documented.
