Australian Art Collective – Art for Everyone | Australian Aboriginal Art Gallery

John Babui

Ironwood Carving | Ochre

29 x 5 cm | 26221S

$145 AUD

Bird

Crafted from dense, locally sourced ironwood and hand-painted with natural ochres, this elegant bird sculpture by Tiwi artist John H Tipiloura captures the spirit and beauty of Tiwi fauna. The graceful curve of the bird’s form and the delicate detailing on the wings reflect Tipiloura’s skill as a carver and his deep cultural connection to Country.

The painted motifs—featuring cross-hatching and intricate dotting—are drawn from Jilamara, the Tiwi system of ceremonial body painting. These patterns are passed down through generations and carry deep meaning, often associated with identity, ceremony, and ancestral stories.

In Tiwi storytelling, birds such as these are often associated with Tokampini—ancestral spirit-beings who witnessed and shaped the Dreaming. They acted as messengers, mourners, informers, and lawmakers, playing essential roles in the great creation narrative of the Tiwi people.