• Kumarrakini (Dry Season)

Declan Apuatimi

Kumarrakini (Dry Season)


Regular price   
When it dry season that is when they do burn out .....clean the country with burning

  • Natural ochres on Stringybark
  • Dimensions: 140cm x 21cm
  • Cat No. 23-287


Declan Apuatimi is a traditional owner of Pirlangimpi/Imalu country on Melville Island's north coast. Born at Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island), his mother’s country is Punjulow (Bathurst Island) and father’s is Imalu Point (Melville Island); skin group Japujapinni (March Fly); dreaming Trick Dance. Son of renowned carver father and artist Jean Baptiste Apuatimi (deceased), he started carving at Munupi Arts in 2004, transitioning to ochre paintings on canvas from 2006 and larger works post-2018 heart surgery. His linear Jilamara designs reflect Pukumani carvings. Executive Committee member (two years), Tiwi Art Network rep, and art worker supporting others. Interests include fishing and hunting crabs.


Munupi Arts & Crafts Association is located along Melville Islands north-western coastline at Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and is the most recently formed art centre on the Tiwi Islands. In 1990 the Yikikini Women’s Centre and Pirlangimpi Pottery were incorporated under the name Munupi Arts and Crafts Association giving local artists an opportunity to proudly celebrate Tiwi culture through both traditional and contemporary mediums. Eddie Puruntatameri was the first president of Munupi Arts and Crafts. Eddie worked at Tiwi Pottery at Nguiu for many years until he moved to Pirlangimpi in late 1983 and set up a pottery workshop in the community. The first major works at Munupi were several large mural panels. The painted panels were placed around the community at Pirlangimpi Airport, the Council Office, Pirlangimpi Pottery and at the Women’s Centre. Artists who contributed to this project were Thelca Puruntatameri, Reppie Orsto, Fatima Kantilla, Donna Burak, Francesca Puruntatameri and Therese Ann Tipiloura. The first Munupi Arts and Crafts exhibition ‘Munupi Dreaming’ was held in October 1990 at Shades of Ochre, Darwin. The exhibition included painted furniture, paintings, limited edition prints and terracotta pots. Munupi artists have continued to exhibit both within Australia and internationally. Many artists from Munupi Arts and Craft have participated in workshops at the art centre and abroad. Drawing inspiration from their natural lush environment and Tiwi creation stories, Munupi artists employ ochres, gouache and acrylic paint. Munupi Arts and Crafts are also highly regarded for the diversity of their range of works including painting, pottery, carving, weaving, screen prints, etchings, linocut prints, lithographs and screen printed textiles.


Here at Laundry Gallery we always endeavour to get your stunning purchases to you as quickly and safely as possible! With that in mind, please note:

1. Monday is the day we do our shipping/postage each week unless Express Shipping is requested at the time of purchase. If for some reason there is a delay and your item isn’t able to be shipped the Monday after you purchased it we will be in touch.

2. All artworks shipped from Laundry Gallery are insured and require a signature on delivery. A tracking number is be provided as part of our shipping process to the contact details you provide.

3. Whilst we use Australia Post services where possible, for large, heavy or high value artworks we use a third party courier service. We will advise you of this at the time of purchase, or get in touch as soon as possible if on reflection using a courier seems more appropriate for your artwork. Once we have organised a quote it will be the courier who gets in touch to organise delivery times closer to the date, but we are always here to support you throughout the process! 

4. If the artwork you have purchased is part of a current or future Laundry Gallery exhibition, we will need to wait until after the exhibition period has ended before we can send the artwork to you.

5. International Customers are currently unable to make a purchase online however we do ship worldwide. Please contact us for an invoice and to arrange a shipping quote.

Visiting Darwin or a local? Local pick up available during normal opening hours. 

We are a very small team and shipping from Darwin can take some time. Thanks for your patience!