Geoff Crispin

TIWI ISLANDS

I have worked with the Tiwi people from Bathurst and Melville Island in the Northern territory on an irregular basis since 1976

Eddie Puruntatameri the first Aboriginal studio potter circa 1976

1976-77 Supervisor of Tiwi Pottery, Bathurst Island, N. T. capacity building amongst indigenous people still living on traditional land. Management, technical and skills training. Utilising materials found by the Tiwi on the islands. Promotional and marketing of products Australia wide. Adult education classes to train teachers' aides to teach children in the schools.
3-4 people employed.
Employed by Australia Council, Catholic Missions.

1994 Three month teaching tour of Queensland, N.T. and SA, including working at Nguiu Bathurst Island NT on reviving interest in the pottery located there where I first Worked in 1976. Employed by Tiwi Designs at Nguiu.

Chamber 2 of the wood fired kiln producing stoneware made from local raw materials at Nguiu circa 1976

John Bosco Tipiloura at Nguiu circa 1976

1994 Ceramic Consultant with the Tiwi Aboriginal people, at Pirlangimpi on Melville Island,N.T. (3 months). Management, technical and skills training as well as helping with exhibition preparation. Preparation of business plan to make the pottery economically viable and secure the funding to enable capital funds to be obtained. Training manuals prepared for various
activities required in the pottery.

Assisted with exhibition of "Tiwi Pottery" retrospective of Eddie Puruntatameri (the first aboriginal studio potter), at Parliament House 1996

Employed by Munupi Association through funding
by Aboriginal Development Unit Darwin

John Bosco tipiloura at Munupi Arts and Crafts cirica 1994

Curator of combined Ernabella Arts and Tiwi Islands ceramic exhibition at The National Ceramics Conference in Brisbane 2006.

2006. Three Tiwi aboriginal potters working in my studio at Whiteman creek for 5 weeks
exploring new experiences in ceramics as well as reconecting with pottery making techniques first used at Nguiu

Robert Puruntatameri had never worked in the same way as his father with local raw materials and wood firing. He was able to spend 5 weeks working in my studio using my porcelain clay and firing the pots in my wood fired kiln.

Declan Aputimi, Robert Puruntatameri and John patrick Kelantamama working at Whiteman Creek Pottery in 2006.

Besides the work with the Remote Communities Ceramic network in 2011 i spent time at Munupi Arts and Crafts on Melville Island helping Robert Puruntatameri fire the two chambered wood fire kiln built for his father many years ago.

Robert side stoking chamber 2

Robert unpacking chamber 2

Wood fired stoneware pot, iron pigment decoration , blue celadon glaze.

Collection Grafton regional gallery.

The firing was mixed sucess as it was very differnt to the electric kiln fired work which is normally produced. There were however some gems including this one above.

2013-14. Manager of Jilamara Arts, Milikapiti, Melville Island.

The work involved running the business side. Managing a continous exhibition program both in Australia and internationally. dealing with government bodies and funding support both public nd private.

Main gallery at Jilamara art centre.

Fostering cultural awarness and supporting traditional skills.

Aileen weaving pandanus skirt for wood carvings

Collecting bark for bark paintings Jilamara.

Maintaining and developing the attached museum.

Liasoning with primary and secondary schools to promote cultural awareness amongst students.