On the Tiwi Islands, the daily rhythm of life has always been shaped by the sea. The movement of water, Winga, transforms the coastline, sweeping silt and sand through creeks and estuaries, reshaping beaches and mangroves, and carving new patterns into the land. These tides do more than alter the shore: they dictate the times for hunting, fishing, and gathering, providing both food and guidance for Tiwi people.
Winga can also mean ‘waves’, one of the many forms in which the ocean shows its presence. At its most powerful, the tide surges in king tides during the Wet Season, when the pull of a full moon magnifies the movement of water and the land seems to breathe with the sea itself.
For Alison Puruntatameri, the tides of the Arafura Sea are more than a natural force; they are part of her lived memory. Growing up encircled by these waters, she has forged a deep bond with the sea that nourishes and defines the Tiwi Islands. Her work reflects this intimate connection, an understanding of the sea’s cycles as both provider and transformer, an eternal rhythm that shapes land, life, and story.
