“My cousin brother used to make bird’s, Roy’s dad used to make the Jabiru bird. Then Harold got the idea of doing birds. The birds plays an important role in Tiwi ceremony… Harold has to look at the tree first to see if it’s strong enough [for carving], you can tell when that stringy bark peels off, then you can see if it’s right to cut it and do carving.”
– Irene Henry
BSG and Marrawuddi Arts & Culture, Jabiru (NT) are pleased to showcase the work of Irene Henry and Harold Goodman.
Celebrated artists Irene and Harold and renowned for their carved bird sculptures, in particular their Wirliwirlih (Galah), Ngarradj (Sulphur Crested Cockatoo) and Karnamarr (Red Tailed Black Cockatoo).
Full of character, these birds are painstakingly carved by Harold and painted in bold designs by Irene, partners that live at the Kakadu Outstation of Kapalga. Irene’s family are from the Tiwi Islands, which are represented through her artistic narrative of painting.
