PUMPUNI JILAMARA, 2002
KUTUWULUMI PURAWARRUMPATU (KITTY KANTILLA)
natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on paper
56.0 x 76.0 cm (sheet)
Jilamara Arts and Crafts, Melville Island
Aboriginal and Pacific Arts, Sydney
Private collection, New South Wales
Kitty Kantilla, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, Melbourne, 27 April – 19 August 2007; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 7 December 2007 – 21 January 2008 (label attached verso)
Ryan, J., Kitty Kantilla, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne 2007, cat. 38, p. 36 (illus.)
Characterised by a mixture of broad areas of solid yellow and red ochre interspersed with lines and dots, the abstract designs of Tiwi art depict the ornate body painting that has been used for centuries as part of the Pukamani (mortuary) ceremonies. The works of Kutuwulumi Purawarrumpatu (Kitty Kantilla), for many years the senior and most renowned painter from Milikapiti, exemplified this enduring art movement. Her art is typified by a mixture of intricate lines of dots, bold areas of solid pigment and areas of delicate line work. Pumpini Jilamara 2002 is a classic example by the artist with the design defined by the overall grid, solid bands of ochre with each area in-filled with fine lines and dotting.