Ngarukuruwala Kapi Murrakupuni - we sing to the land

Ngarukuruwala Kapi Murrukupuni we sing to the land

16 November 9 December 2023

Cooee Art Leven 17 Thurlow Street Redfern, Sydney

Gadigal land belonging to the Eora nation ARTLEVEN.COM

Ngarukuruwala Kapi Murrukupuni we sing to the land “Ngarukuruwala Kapi Murrakupuni, means ‘we sing to the land’. We do this to invite our ancestral elders to watch over us, and to thank them for the bush food and other traditional plants and materials that we gather and hunt for, including the ochre and bark. When we go to country, we enact Ngarikuruwala Kapi Murrakupuni so that our ancestors know that we are coming, inviting them to guide and protect us. As we leave country, we sing out to the ancestors to thank them and to let them know of our gratitude and knowledge of their presence and wisdom. Our practice of Ngarikuruwala Kapi Murrakupuni is not only transported in the materials gathered to create our bark paintings—it is also intertwined into our images and designs. This is reflected in the stories and meanings that we convey in and through our creative expressions.’’

Paulina Puruntatameri and Carol Puruntatameri

FRONT COVER IMAGE DETAILS Alison (Jojo) Puruntatameri, Winga (Tidal Movement/Waves), 2023, natural ochres on bark, 101 x 24 cm Alison (Jojo) Puruntatameri, Winga (Tidal Movement/Waves), 2023, natural ochres on bark, 139 x 44 cm BACK COVER IMAGE INSITU Carol Puruntatameri, Yipali Purrukupali, 2023, natural ochres on bark, 125 x 64 cm

IMAGE DETAILS CLOCKWISE Francesca Puruntatameri, Pupuni Jilamara, 2023 natural ochres on bark, 89 x 19.5 cm Delores Tipuamantumirri, Parlini Jilamara, 2023 natural ochres on bark, 81 x 30 cm Carol Puruntatameri, Pwonga, 2023 natural ochres on bark, 66 x 44.5 cm Alison (Jojo) Puruntatameri, Winga (Tidal Movement/Waves), 2023 natural ochres on bark, 131 x 59 cm

IMAGE DETAILS CLOCKWISE Christine Daisy Puruntatameri, Pwonga 2023, Natural Earth Pigments on Canvas, 120 x 80 cm Cornelia Tipuamantumirri, Banapa, 2016, Natural Earth Pigments on Canvas, 120 x 80 cm Delores Tipuamantumirri, Winga (Tidal Movement, Waves), 2016, Natural Earth Pigments on Canvas, 181 x 121 cm

MUNUPI ARTS Munupi Arts & Crafts Association is located along

language Translating the Tiwi “Jilamara” associat-

Melville Islands North-Western coastline at Pir-

ed with their remarkable cosmology.

langimpi (also known as Garden Point). It is the most recently formed art centre on the Tiwi Is-

Bridging the old and the new, these artists reveal

lands.

through their works the continuity of a fascinating culture, a vibrant offering of emotions, and feelings

The Munupi artists, inspired by their natural lush

that resonate with the rhythms of the Tiwi islands:

environment and the Tiwi creation stories, are re-

the breaking of the waves on the coastlines, the

nowned for their striking approaches to colour and

streaks of glittering light on the Arafura Sea, the

design. Frequently referred to as “Jilamara” (de-

rising and setting of the sun, the moon, and the

sign), their artworks are created using traditional

stars, together with their ancient deep spiritual tra-

earth ochres, mixed to create a wide range of co-

dition.

lours.

“Our paintings are like our songs to country, Often using the traditional Tiwi Comb “Pwoja’ and

just like when we go to country we call out

drawing from their rich traditions, these artists

and sing to our ancestor”.

press their ochres onto the surfaces of the canvas,

Carol Puruntatameri

each with their own personal interpretative visual

(in discussion with Guy Allain)

COOEE ART LEVEN 17 Thurlow Street Redfern NSW 2016 +61 (02) 9300 9233

info@artleven.com www.artleven.com @art.leven