Images(2)

Purukupali

Artist John Wilson Wuribudiwi (1955)

Datec 1995

Object number00029306

NameSculpture

MediumIronwood, paint

DimensionsOverall: 1245 x 247 x 210 mm, 24.1 kg
Display Dimensions: 1245 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionSculpture of Purukupali by John Wilson Wuribudiwi from Melville Island, Northern Territory. Purukupali is a figure from Tiwi mythology related to the Pukumani ceremony.HistoryThe sculptures are from the Pukamani funeral ceremony which traditionally culminates in the erection of the carved poles. The ceremony draws its inspiration from the story of Purukupali, his wife Bima and her adulterous partner Tjapar.The story revolves around the death of Djinini, Purukupali and Bima's son. Djinini was left lying in the hot sun while his mother Bima had an affair with Tjapara. Purukupali, on discovering the body of his dead son, fought with Tjapara and ordained that henceforth all beings would, like his son, eventually die. Purukupali then established the Pukamani mortuary ceremony that is the model for all humans to follow. At the end of the first ceremony Bima became a curlew, Tjapara became the moon and Purukupali submerged himself into the sea holding his dead son in his arms. The Pukumani ceremony that Purukupali established is one of only two rituals the Tiwi perform. It is a ceremony performed to send the spirit on its way to the home of the spirits across the sea (the mainland). Pukumani means taboo and immediate members of the deceased family, the deceased's possessions and names given to people by the dead person are all taboo. John Wilson carved Purukupali and Bima (00029307) from ironwood and collected the ochres himself from near Garden Point.The cockatoo feathers used in the headdress and armbands are from birds he shot while hunting. He decided to carve Bima when he was faced with the log and found himself takenup by the creation period. He decided to carve her partner because all his relatives hassled him and said his original sculpture needed a husband. His wife, Christine Wilson, helped paint Bima, however she was working on her own canvas during the work on Purukupali and John finished Purukupali himself. The designs used on the sculptures are originally body paint designs from his country, the Goose Creek area.SignificanceThese sculptures, Purukupali and Bima (00029307), are significant because they are carved by John Wilson Wuribudiwi who is being trained to carve by his uncle, Paddy Freddy, a prominent ritual man and artist among the Tiwi.