Michelle Woody
1972 - Ngiya Murrakupupuni (Stringybark painting) 2024- ochre on String
In her paintings, Michelle applies Tiwi earth pigments using the Kayimwagakimi comb — a painting tool made from locally harvested ironwood and
used in Tiwi ceremonial ochre body painng. In the long-standing pracce of her ancestors she utilises natural ochres sourced on Country around Milikapiti to make contemporary art works. These earth pigments are collected, crushed and burned into the three colours of the island landscape: white, yellow and red.
“Artwork makes me think about the wulimawi (old people)...like going out on Country, same feeling. It makes me feel emotional, makes me think about my Ancestors and how they used to live. We need to keep that culture alive through art, ceremony and spending time on Country.” - Michelle
Woody Minnapinni
Drawing on many ancestral and creation stories, Michelle has developed unique jilamara designs using a body painting tool that refer to Country – both winga (salt water), land, fresh water and where these elements intersect.
Source: Jilamara Arts & Crafts, Melville Island NT in 2024