Thomas Tungutalum

Thomas Tungutalum was born at Pirlangimpi on Melville Island in 1970. He grew up there and went to school there. The school used to be where the Art Centre is located now. The elders used to come to the school and teach the children culture and how to do bark paintings. Thomas loved painting barks when he was a boy.

Thomas went to Saint Bedes College in Melbourne for High School . The only subjects he got A’s for was art and sport.

Thomas found his partner in Pirlangimpi and they had 3 children and now he have 3 grandchildren. Thomas’s partner Fatima Kantilla (deceased) was a well known artist through the Munupi Art Centre. He was inspired by her and he now works at the Art Centre. She helped him find his way in life.

Thomas has been an creating artworks all his life.