| Place | Oceania: Australia, Northern Territory, Melville Island |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2016.328.1 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall - Conservation: 2400 mm x 400 mm x 402 mm |
| Object type | Sculpture |
| Physical description | ochre and acrylic binder on ironwood |
| Maker |
Puruntatameri, Patrick Freddy |
| Place made | Australia: Northern Territory, Melville Island |
| Date made | 2016 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Moon man
Description
Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri is a renowned Tiwi sculptor. He was born in 1973 on Melville Island, the larger of the two Tiwi islands, situated off the coast north of Darwin. As well as making art Patrick has served in the Army Regional Surveilance Unit North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) for 18 years. In 2016 the Memorial commissioned Patrick Freddy to create works related to his military service.
Every Tiwi person grows up knowing the Pukumani Creation Story and Purukuparli’s decree that “All humans must die”. These stories, songs, dances, and designs give Tiwi people a deep philosophical understanding of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, and provide a foundation to help a person find their calling, and remember their values and responsibilities.
In carving these tutini, Private Puruntatameri has shared how warrior traditions and totemic relationships can be expressed through new aspects of modern life, including service, particularly in NORFORCE. Puruntatameri has drawn inspiration from the great warrior Tjapara (Moon Man) who fought Purukuparli during the Palaneri (Creation Period): as the moon looks out over all Tiwi people, Puruntatameri looks out over young recruits and teaches them from the old and the new; as the messenger birds continue to carry messages to Tiwi people, Puruntatameri liaises between NORFORCE and the Tiwi.