Napkin Set of 2 - Timothy Cook Kulama

In collaboration with Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association the NGV design store has produced a range of textile-based merchandise that celebrates Tiwi art and culture. Jilamara Arts is an Aboriginal-owned creative and cultural hub of the remote Indigenous art centre in the Milikapiti community in the Tiwi Islands. The art centre represents the artwork of around 60 active artists and employs 9 regular arts workers. Jilamara Arts provides access to employment, education and training and is open to all Tiwi people living in Milikapiti.
 
Timothy Cook has been creating paintings, prints and carvings at Jilamara since 1999, his art is very personal to him; he likes the ‘old designs’ which he learnt from his Elders. He especially likes dots (pwanga) as elements of his designs; dots are his ‘favourite special’ due to the fact that ochre dots are applied to his face for ceremonies. The dots are applied by his bunji – a kinship relationship term which means mate, or in-law. Cook expresses himself through his loose, gestural, spacious designs; composing his paintings with pure instinct and without hesitation.