Pudjamali Don Hocking was a revered Tiwi artist, cultural leader and Elder from Melville Island. Raised within a community deeply rooted in tradition, he became a key figure in adapting Tiwi ceremonial art into portable forms. Pudjamali’s art and leadership continues to inspire Tiwi people, to preserve their cultural identity for future generations. His bark paintings and carved objects focussed upon the Pukumani (mortuary) ceremonies. His works featured intricate geometric patterns and symbolic motifs, including dotted designs and ceremonial objects like false beards, aprons and feather adornments.
As a strong advocate for Tiwi traditions, Pudjamali emphasised the vital role of women in ceremonial life, often depicting female figures adorned with ceremonial body paint. Pudjamali’s thickset figure is highly decorated for ceremonial purposes. A highlight of this sculpture is the uncommon use of two small shells to represent the eyes of the figure, the shells having been inlaid in carved eye sockets using japartinga (bush gum).