TIPOTI NONA | 'Kukiyaw Thonarr' | Monoprint V.E. 002

"Kukiyaw Thonarr is the North Westerly Winds. When the North Westerly winds blow, traditional hunters know that the Bidai (squid) are being blown into the bays all around the islands. Currently every man, woman, dog, and child are down at the beach with handlines and spears, collecting squid. Female squid have their young and then make their way out to the sea again to die. All the mothers make their way to the same area to die where they are hunted by shark and other predators."

Tipoti Nona began his arts practice as a carver, honing his skills in wood, mother-of-pearl, and Bailer shell, before branching into lino and monoprints.

In his life as a hunter and fisher Tipoti’s spears are known to be the best - all the balas want one of Tipoti’s waps (traditional dhangal hunting spear) – and it is him the tourists are told about.

Tipoti’s artwork revolves around his life as a traditional hunter, crayfish diver, and fisherman. At heart, both practices share the same quality. To be successful, the artist and hunter must be able to transcend the self and become one with the world around them, whether it be with the dhangal (dugong) as they move through the ocean in search of food, or when achieving the fine, saw-tooth detail of a thupmul’s (file ray) tail.

Cinematic in quality, as though the camera has narrowed its gaze to focus right in on a particular season or event, Tipoti’s art captures the essential details that are missed in the everyday; exciting the viewer to new knowledge and understanding of the world they inhabit.

Tipoti’s artwork is in the Collection of the Australian Embassy in Moscow.

-Tipoti NonaTIPOTI NONA | 'Kukiyaw Thonarr' | 2025 | Monoprint V.E. 002 | 1214 (h) x 800 (w) mm