34 AM 4396/06
Pedro Wonaeamirri Pwoja-Pukumani Body Paint Design 2005
Natural ochres on Arches paper, framed under glass 560x760mm paper, 810x1005mm frame SOLD
Traditional Tiwi Culture placed special signigicance on the Pukumani (Funeral) ceremony. Mourners are decorated
using natural ochres to disguise themselves from the spirit of the deceased and song and dance is performed to
honour the dead. Yirrinkiripwoja (bodypaint) is the source of many contemporary Tiwi designs and performance
of the pukumani as ritual helps to reinvigorate the imagery. The shortening of the word to Twoja - also refers to “best”.