This Christmas, we are proud to release the limited-edition Summer Facial Set that includes a 100% Eco-Linen, zip-up pouch. Created in very limited numbers, the pouch is only available as part of this set.
These pieces have been handmade fairly, locally and lovingly by our seamstress Lucia.
The fabric has been hand screen printed with the artwork "Jilamara" by Tiwi Islands artist and mother Cornelia Tipuamantumirri.
Each pouch features a unique section of her artwork - meaning every piece is one-of-a-kind and unique.
The Jilimara Story
In Tiwi language, the term Jilamara refers to body paint design.
The Jilimara Arts & Craft Association describes:
"The Tiwi Islands, Bathurst Island & Melville Island, are north of Darwin and have been home to Tiwi people since parlingarri (a long time ago). Milikapiti community is on the coast over overlooking the Arafura Sea. It’s a happy place, with strong families and strong culture"
Cornelia's work embraces the distinctive design elements of Jilimara design: mulypinyini pwanga (lines and dots).
Cornelia Tipuamantumirri
Cornelia Tipuamantumirri was born adjacent to the present day barge landing at Pirlangimipi, around 1930. When she was a young woman she would assist young weavers to acquire skill and knowledge in this art form. She would also teach the young ones traditional Tiwi dance.
Cornelia Tipuamantumirri married Steven Tipuamantamirri as a young lady and has one child, a daughter, Dolores Tipuamantamirri. Cornelia Tipuamantumirri also helped raise a young boy from Peppimenarti, Harry Wilson, who was part of the Stolen Generation sent to Pirlangimpi and later married the well known Peppimenarti artist Regina Wilson.
Cornelia Tipuamantumirri uses the kayimwagakimi for her work, dipping the comb-shaped carved ironwood into her ochre palette; shades of pinks and yellows to portray the reflections of her long life lived on the Tiwi Islands. Reflections also, of the skyes’ lights on the surface of the Arafura Sea.
References:
Jilimara Arts & Crafts Association: https://jilamara.com/about/
Artist Bio: https://northhome.org/products/jilamara_006
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