• Purruti (Osprey)

David Tipuamantumirri

Purruti (Osprey)


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  • Ironwood Carvings using natural ochres
  • Dimensions: 26.5cm
  • Cat No. 580-24


David Tipuamantumirri produces Ironwood carvings and decorates them using natural ochre paints. He has worked on several collaborative carving commissions including the large Tutini, carved and painted with Barry Kantilla, for presentation to the departing Ambassador by the Royal Dutch Embassy in Canberra in 2005 and also made one of the four Tutini produced for the Celebration of the Anniversary of 300 years of European contact with the Tiwi, commissioned by the Tiwi Land Council, 2005. David also worked with Francis Kerinaiua on caving a Tutini for the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Tiwi Land Council in 2008 and another with Barry Kantilla for the Wurrumiyanga Cemetery. David's carving of Purukupali (as part of a collaborative group of carvings) with Gordon Pupangamirri, Barry Kantilla, and Graham Tipungwuti was selected for the Wynne Prize in 2022. This was an individual and beautifully painted figure. He currently enjoys carving and painting ironwood birds and unusual Tiwi figurative heads and delightful male and female figures. David’s work is held in the Charles Darwin University Art Collection and Private collections.


Ngaruwanajirri Incorporated is an arts centre at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. Ngaruwanajirri, which means ‘helping one another’ in Tiwi, was established in 1994. It was originally set up for disabled Tiwi residents but now includes all artists, with the original artists working with traditional wood carvers. Art created includes natural ochre paintings on paper and canvas, batik on silk, lino prints on paper and fabric and ironwood carvings. Many paintings and carvings from Ngaruwanajirri, including tutini poles for Pukumani ceremonies, have been exhibited in Darwin, interstate and overseas. Works reside in private collections and art galleries both nationally and internationally.


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All works are packed securely to protect during shipping. All items valued over $100 are insured for damage during transit. 

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Items purchased online that are part of an exhibition will be shipped at the end of the exhibition period.