Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni
Artwork title: Ngiya Murrakupupuni (My Country)
Medium: locally sourced earth pigments on linen
Size: 150 × 120 cm
Year: 2025
$9,800
About the Artwork
“Artworks makes me think about the wulimawi (old people) like going out on Country, same feeling. It makes me feel emotional, makes me think about my Ancestors and how they used to live. We need to keep that culture alive through art, ceremony and spending time on Country.” – Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni
Drawing on Tiwi creation stories and ceremonial culture, Michelle has developed unique jilamara (ochre ceremonial designs) using the kayimwagakimi (an ironwood body painting comb). Her mark making refers to Country; both winga (salt water), land, fresh water and where these elements intersect.
About the Artist
Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni is a Tiwi leader who celebrates her culture through a commitment to strong indigenous governance, cultural advocacy, exhibition curatorship and making celebrated contemporary artwork. She has shown throughout Australia and overseas in gallery exhibitions, institutions, awards and studio residencies – recently returning from a Kluge-Ruhe residency and extended public program at the University of Virginia, New York, Reno and Washington DC.
Photo: Will Heathcote