Barbara Puruntatameri

BORN              1970

REGION           Tiwi Islands    

COUNTRY        Munupi

LANGUAGE     Tiwi

SKIN GROUP   Wantaringuwi (Sun)

DANCE            Kirrilima (Jungle Fowl)

Barbara Puruntatameri was born and raised in Pirlangimpi. She has moved back and forward between Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti on Melville Island. Barbara has two children and spends her time raising her boys and practicing painting. She has spent time at Munupi Arts when living in Pirlangimpi and is now a member at Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association in Milikapiti. Barbara learnt how to paint watching her grandfather paint at Munupi Arts and was inspired to join Jilamara after watching her partner Jimmy Mungatopi make paintings and carvings.

Barbara has had success at annual art centre group exhibitions and has gained recognition nationally as a painter who uses the iconic Tiwi Kayimwagakimi – a carved ironwood comb or body painting tool used to apply dots. This year Barbara is a first time finalist in the Telstra NATSIA Awards at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT.