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Art from Australian Islands

Natural ochres feature in Aboriginal art from the Tiwi Islands

A painting by Timothy Cook

Located north of Darwin in Australia, is a group of islands called the Tiwi islands that has a distinct identity of its own. Though the Tiwis are close to the mainland, the culture, art and even the language is not even close to being an off-shoot of those that exist in Australia.

Highlighting this unique region is an art exhibition titled- Kiripuranji: Contemporary art from the Tiwi Islands.

The exhibition has actually been to India a few years ago on its, `Around the world' trip.

After the showing in Hyderabad, the exhibition will be back in Australia, completing five years of international exposure for the exhibition.

The exhibition comprises of a few sketches, paintings done on canvas and paper, a few cotton wall-hangings with screen prints, a pair of Tiwi spears made of ironwood and a couple of Tungas- baskets made of the bark of a tree, often used to carry gifts for ceremonies and birthdays.

Black and more

The predominant colour in art from Tiwi Islands is black. Black is used as a background and represents the people since their skin colour is black as well.

Other colours used are yellow, white and red.

The white colour is derived from clay, while yellow is got from pigments that are heated and oxidised to give a red colour. Earlier binding agents includes the yolk of turtle eggs, but today, glue and other modern agents are used.

According to tradition, mixing of colours in not permitted and if an artist wants to mix colours or pigments, he has to seek permission from the elders.

The exhibition is a nice way to expose yourself to a form of culture and art you might never have the chance to otherwise experience.

R.V.K

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