Black-and-white photograph of an unnamed man standing near a low stool, trees and settlement buildings, including a tall pitched roof.
Historical settlement photograph

Black-and-white photograph of an unnamed man standing near a low stool, trees and settlement buildings, including a tall pitched roof.

Betty, John; Australian War Memorial, P02305.018 · Public domain, as identified by the Australian War Memorial · Image source

Snake Bay settlement, Melville Island, October 1944, as catalogued by the Australian War Memorial. The catalogue identifies the settlement as Tiwi; it does not name the foreground man. This dated institutional photograph is contextual evidence, not a portrait of Tiwi communities as a whole. Memorial low-resolution download. Compressed for display.

Overview

NGV’s 2020–2021 exhibition identifies Tiwi communities with Bathurst and Melville Islands. Art forms part of an interconnected oral, visual and dance culture.

Its account connects jilamara designs with performance and distinguishes pukumani mourning from kulama ceremonies. Historical and contemporary works demonstrate artistic change.

The Tiwi Land Council’s history dates establishment to 18 August 1978. It describes consultation with relevant clan groups and traditional owners’ consent before activities on the Islands.

Jilamara designsCeremonial performanceIsland custodianship
01

History & identity

Deep origins are not established by these sources.

02

Sources & representation

Selected institutional accounts.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    TIWI | NGV

    National Gallery of Victoria · n.d.

    Selected bibliography.

  2. 02

    History of the Tiwi Land Council

    Tiwi Land Council · 2026-04-20

    Selected bibliography.

Language & cultural connections

Source-supported language and cultural connections have not yet been compiled for this profile.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Institutional heritage accountTIWI | NGVResearch access: 2026-10-07
  2. Statutory Aboriginal land councilHistory of the Tiwi Land CouncilResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

Historical settlement photograph

Black-and-white photograph of an unnamed man standing near a low stool, trees and settlement buildings, including a tall pitched roof.

Betty, John; Australian War Memorial, P02305.018 · Public domain, as identified by the Australian War Memorial · Image source

Snake Bay settlement, Melville Island, October 1944, as catalogued by the Australian War Memorial. The catalogue identifies the settlement as Tiwi; it does not name the foreground man. This dated institutional photograph is contextual evidence, not a portrait of Tiwi communities as a whole. Memorial low-resolution download. Compressed for display.

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