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Details
- No.:RKS1368
- Medium:Natural Ochres on Bark
- Size:75 × 48 cm
- Year:2016
- Region:Tiwi Islands
- Art Centre:Jilamara Arts
- Status:
Tunga's are made from stringybark bark, which can only be collected during the wet season when the bark is moist and flexible. The bark is cut using a chainsaw, stripped smooth with a knife and cured over a fire before being bent into shape and sewn up with a bush string stripped from the native hibiscus. The tunga is left to dry for a few days before being painted with locally gathered ochres. Tungas were an everyday necessity for Tiwi, used to carry food. When a Tiwi person dies the tunga is placed upturned on the pukumani pole (grave-post) signifying the end of life.
Bark paintings do adapt to room temperature and humidity. Tiny hair cracks are inherent in the nature of the material.Special provisions apply to this artwork. Reproductions of the artwork and its story in part or in whole in any form require the permission of the artist. We are only too happy to be of assistance in this matter.