The Tiwi Islands comprise the two islands Bathurst and Melville and are located about 80 kilometres north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea. The islands were proclaimed an Aboriginal Reserve back in 1912 and have been governed by Aboriginals since 1980.

The Tiwi’s language, culture and creation myths are very different from those of the Aboriginal Australians on the mainland (Arnhem Land). Tiwi art is also unmistakeably distinct with its bold patterns and strong colours. The paintings, textiles, carvings, ceramics and baskets are adorned with highly stylized images of people and animals as well as abstract, geometric patterns. To honour their dead, Tiwi people create tutini poles from ironwood as part of the Pukumani ceremony. These are interpreted as embodiments of the human form and a number are grouped around the burial site. Since the 1930s, Tiwi artists have also elaborated on these poles and created painted sculptures.

In contrast to mainland Aboriginal art, on the Tiwi Islands an understanding of art emerged that had more in common with Western criteria. Traditional art forms are renewed or imbued with individual creativity. Patterns and depictions on the Tiwi Islands are not solely inspired by ritual but reflect to a greater extent the preferences and abilities of the artist.