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Pukamani pole

1999

Australian Aboriginal, Tiwi Islands, born 1974

Pedro Wonaeamirri speaks about this pole as depicting a moon man named Tapara who was supposed to attend the first big "pukamani" ceremony: "Tapara decorated himself but didn't go, he just watched from on top of the sky. He didn't want to take part, he was feeling guilty." Known as an adulterer who brought death into the world, the account of the moon man's story is full of scandal (a copy chronicling his deeds is available in the SAM library). The artist also provided special ochre pigments and a comb to be used in restoring the pole, thereby maintaining the carving's sacred connection to his country.

Natural pigments with fixative and feathers on ironwood

79 1/8 in. (201 cm)

Gift of Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2005.154

Provenance: [Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, Winnellie, Australia]; Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan, Seattle, Washington, 2000

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Sorry Business, July 30, 2001 - January 2, 2006

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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