Ngaringa (black cockatoo) - Thomas Munkanome

Thomas began carving in the late 1980s alongside some of the most well known and respected Tiwi carvers, and is a highly regarded carver in Wurrumiyanga.

His carvings reflect the traditional Tiwi style, with lively cockatoos and pelicans as signature works.

He was one of the few Aboriginal carvers to participate in the sandstone carving workshop in Broken Hill, NSW, in 1994.

Thomas carved one of the large tuni [poles] marking the entrance to the Wurrumiyanga cemetery while working with Ngaruwanajirri in 2009.

Thomas has a carving in Charles Darwin University’s Art Collection, NT.

Artist statement:

"I learnt from the old people, they taught us at school, and culture too. Then I started carving in the early 1980s and kept going. Id like my children to learn from me and carry on carving."