Jean Baptiste Apuatimi

b. 1940 d: 2013

Totem: Tapatapunga (Cheeky ((March) Fly)

Dance: Jarrangini (Buffalo)

Skin Group: Lordala (Lollies)

Jean Baptiste was born at Pirlangimpi (Garden Island) on Yermalner (Melville Island but as a child she moved with her family to Bathurst Island where she was educated as a ‘dormitory girl’ at the Catholic Mission. Jean’s father called her Pulukatu.

At 14 Jean Baptiste married the acclaimed Tiwi artist, Declan Apuatimi, in the Catholic church and they had 11 children. Declan inspired and mentored her how to mix ochres and paint, encouraging her to draw on Tiwi culture and tradition to shape her work and to support their family after his death.

When Declan died in 1985 Baptiste returned to Melville Island and began painting with ochres on canvas. In 1989, along with Kitty Kantilla and Freda Warlapinni she was one of the creators of the Jilamara Arts Centre at Milikapiti.

The Tiwi word Jilamara depicts “design” centred on the painting of and the intricate ceremonial ochre markings on the body and Jean Baptiste is acknowledged for introducing the world to this Tiwi style of jilamara’, which she called "body painting style". She used long geometric motifs that are painted on a widow's body before she is ceremonially washed

Jilamara Art Centre’s initial 1992 group exhibition, including Baptiste’s paintings, was held at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), with the gallery acquiring the total exhibition for its collection.

Jean Baptiste returned to Bathurst Island and became the most notable artist at Tiwi Design. In 2007 she was one of five prominent Aboriginal artists who’s work was the focus of the Culture Warriors exhibition in the National Gallery of Australia’s inaugural National Indigenous Art Trennial. In 2009 Culture Warriors was also exhibited in Washington, DC, with Jean Baptiste at the opening.

Also in 2009 Jean Baptiste had a solo exhibition called Tapalinga with Rebecca Hossack in London. The word Tapalinga is TIWI for stars in the sky.

The 2012 Darwin Festival showcased an exhibition titled Maternal Lines by Jean Baptiste and her daughter, Maria Josette Orsto.

Jean Baptiste’s works prominently starred at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 2020-2021 TIWI exhibition.

As well as Maria Josette Orsto, (Apuatimi), Jean Baptiste’s son, Declan Apuatimi and granddaughter, Natalie Puantalura are also important Tiwi artists.

Collections include:

National Gallery of Australia (20 works)

National Gallery of Victoria (18 works)

Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

Art Gallery of South Australia

National Museum of Women in Art, USA

British Museum, London

Seattle Art Museum, USA

Sammlung Essl Museum, Austria

Kuge-Ruhe Collection

Maria Josette Orsto – Jean Baptiste’s daughter’s art gallery collections include.

National Gallery of Australia