Image Not Available

Pukamani pole

Date1999

Maker Pedro (Gurrumaiyuwa) Wonaeamirri Australian Aboriginal, Tiwi Islands, born 1974

Label TextPedro 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.

Object number2005.154

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

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

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

Dimensions79 1/8 in. (201 cm)

MediumNatural pigments with fixative and feathers on ironwood