Puruntatameri Aluminum Bowl

This aluminum boat-shaped bowl features artwork inspired by the traditional ceremonies of the Tiwi Islands, created by artist Paulina Puruntatameri. The piece reflects the cultural significance of 'Jilamara,' the body designs painted during ceremonies. These designs are integral to 'yoi' dances, which are often totemic and tell the stories of newly composed songs. The dancers, adorned with 'turtiyanginari' (natural ochre colors), undergo a transformation, with the designs offering both spiritual protection and a connection to ancestral traditions. This bowl combines cultural storytelling with functional artistry, bringing the rich traditions of the Tiwi Islands into your home.

Dimensions: 13.8" x 10" x 3"

Royalties directly benefit the artist.

About the Artist:

Paulina Puruntatameri (1957–2022), also known as Jedda, was a respected Indigenous Australian artist and senior Cultural Leader from Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory. Her artwork reflected deep cultural knowledge and tradition, often drawing on ceremonial designs, ancestral Dreamings, and stories connected to land and sea. Though she began painting later in life, Paulina brought a unique perspective shaped by her expertise in Tiwi language and cultural preservation. Her richly layered pieces, created using natural earth pigments, explored themes such as the Kirilima (Jungle Fowl) Dreaming and the story of Maruti, the female crocodile. Through her art, Paulina played an important role in maintaining and sharing Tiwi cultural identity.