About Mario Munkara

Mario Munkara is from Bathurst Island, one of the Tiwi Islands located in the Arafura sea about 80km north of Darwin. His totem is the Japajapinni (Marcy Fly). Painting totem designs are important to Tiwi people with each skin group having its own set of designs painted onto their sculptures. The Tiwi people have occupied the islands for at least 10,000 years and have their own unique language and culture, including dance, song and art. Mario has had several museum and gallery exhibitions for his highly sought-after sculptures. He has been working at Tiwi Design since 1994. Bird carvings have ceremonial meaning to the Tiwi and are considered to bring knowledge from the spirit world. The carvings were often used on ceremonial poles to honor the dead during funeral rituals. The owl totem is considered a guardian to Aboriginal people and a totem for Aboriginal Women. Owls are nocturnal birds of prey, symbolising the power of the night, mystery and wisdom. Made from a local timber (ironwood) and hand painted using traditional ochres from the earth.