The Annual Tiwi Exhibition

Two leading Tiwi art centres come together for this highly anticipated annual exhibition.

Hailing from Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands, from the communities of Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi, Munupi and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Associations are Tiwi owned and governed art centres renowned for their bold contemporary artwork. This exhibition showcases the breadth of Tiwi artistry across multiple generations, presenting outstanding new works by both emerging, mid-career and senior artists.

Visitors during Darwin Festival’s opening weekend, the busiest week in Darwin’s visual art calendar, will have the great opportunity to meet the artists and experience the energy of Yoi (Tiwi dance) at the opening celebration at 10am on Friday 7 August. 

Internationally renowned for their contemporary expressions, Tiwi artists draw inspiration from ‘jilamara’ (body painting designs), clan totems and Tiwi creation stories. Using natural ochres on linen, canvas, stringy bark and ironwood, they create striking works that reflect deep cultural engagement.