• 14. Yipali and Purrukupali
  • 14. Yipali and Purrukupali
  • 14. Yipali and Purrukupali

Carol Puruntantameri

14. Yipali and Purrukupali


Regular price   

  • Ochre on Stringybark
  • Dimensions: 89 x 25cm
  • Cat No. 25-57


Carol Puruntatameri was born in 1959 on Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island). When Carol was 10 years old the family moved to Pirlangimpi, Melville Island, her fathers country.Carol has been a painter at Munupi Arts since 2010 and in 2024 she was selected as a finalist for the Telstra NATSIAA.

'When old man, my father’s brother Justine Puruntatameri, did painting he brought all us children and grandchildren to the Munupi Art Centre teaching us to carry on. I used to watch my father painting Pukumani poles and during Kuluma ceremony he was painting his body by holding the mirror. Our fathers told all us girls: “Go down and cut sticks from mangroves to use in the ceremony”. The sticks were put in a circle around the middle circle and the men go out and collect the Kulama (bush yam). We were all there, all my family, when our fathers were doing Kuluma ceremony."

"I used to stay home gambling but one day I came to the art centre and watched my uncle painting. I didnt know how to paint. I started painting and painting and here I am here today and I know how to paint. I used to copy what my Father did. Some of my paintings have stories."


Munupi Arts & Crafts Association is located along Melville Islands north-western coastline at Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and is the most recently formed art centre on the Tiwi Islands. In 1990 the Yikikini Women’s Centre and Pirlangimpi Pottery were incorporated under the name Munupi Arts and Crafts Association giving local artists an opportunity to proudly celebrate Tiwi culture through both traditional and contemporary mediums.

The first major works at Munupi were several large mural panels. The painted panels were placed around the community at Pirlangimpi Airport, the Council Office, Pirlangimpi Pottery and at the Women’s Centre.

The first Munupi Arts and Crafts exhibition ‘Munupi Dreaming’ was held in October 1990 at Shades of Ochre, Darwin. The exhibition included painted furniture, paintings, limited edition prints and terracotta pots. Munupi artists have continued to exhibit both within Australia and internationally.

Many artists from Munupi Arts and Craft have participated in workshops at the art centre and abroad. Drawing inspiration from their natural lush environment and Tiwi creation stories, Munupi artists employ ochres, gouache and acrylic paint. Munupi Arts and Crafts are also highly regarded for the diversity of their range of works including painting, pottery, carving, weaving, screen prints, etchings, linocut prints, lithographs and screen printed textiles.



Here at Laundry Gallery we always endeavour to get your stunning purchases to you as quickly and safely as possible! With that in mind, please note:

1. Monday is the day we do our shipping/postage each week unless Express Shipping is requested at the time of purchase. If for some reason there is a delay and your item isn’t able to be shipped the Monday after you purchased it we will be in touch.

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