TIMOTHY COOK - UNTITLED (TUTINI AND TUNGA)

 TIMOTHY COOK
UNTITLED (TUTINI AND TUNGA),  2007
260 x 15 cm
Natural Earth Pigments on Carved Wood
 
PROVENANCE
Tiwi Islands, NT
Jilamara Arts and Crafts, Melville Island (cat. no. TC-102-07)The Harding Family Collection, SydneyCooee Art Gallery, NSW 
 
STORY
The Pukumani ceremony is held on the land of the deceased to ensure the Mopadidi(the spirit of the deceased) returns to its country and continues its journey to another life.Large solid hardwood poles ā€“ tutini ā€“ are assembled around the ceremonial site as monuments to the deceased. At the end of the ceremony, tunga, stitched bark baskets, are placed over the top of the tutini ā€“ an act akin to candle stoppers snuffing the light of life.The tutini and tunga are left in place at the end of the ceremony ā€“ eventually burnt by bushfire, eaten by termites and eroded by water and wind. This is the last earthly physical reminder of the deceased, until it is reclaimed by the country, together with their wandering spirit.No other living artist has Cookā€™s ability to animate these massive ironwood and bloodwood poles and folded stringybark buckets into seemingly spirited forms. The very act of painting his bold, gestural marks on these massive sculpted forms gives Cookā€™s tutini a sense of movement. They are completely transformed as they seemingly come to life, themselves central ceremonial figures, guiding the spirits of the deceased into their spirit world.
 
EXHIBITED
Noosa Long Weekend  Festival 2008, QLD