Robert Puruntatamerri

Robert Puruntatameri is a solo studio wheel throwing potter from Mellville Island, the head potter of Pirlangimpi Pottery , next to Munupi Arts Centre. Robert was guided by his renowned father, the late Eddie Puruntatameri, the first professional Tiwi potter who built and ran the pottery. Robert Puruntatameri started with his father in 1984 but almost immediately lost his father and eldest brother who had been the designated next head potter. Robert was deeply affected by this tragedy but he continued to work with wheel thrown pottery to carry on his father’s legacy. He has been trained over the decades through stints at the National Art School, Sydney and with master potters in many workshops interstate. Robert’s mother Maree who had founded Munupi arts alongside her husband is a painter. Robert’s ceramics are  based on his knowledge and research with the effects of clay, glazes and closely following his father’s forms.

A long friendship between former art adviser on Bathurst Island fellow ceramicist Geoff Crispin and Robert Puruntatameri has seen them work together on many occasions. Geoff was well acquainted with Eddie Puruntatameri in the 1970s. Robert produced this current body of works in 2023 during a month long stay working at Bahy nah Buyin, Grafton, NSW. Crispin’s capacity to let Robert utilise locally dug clay and ash and iron stoneware reduced glazes in Grafton have produced pieces of very similar aesthetic to his father’s works with celadon colour palettes dominating his glazes.

Robert Puruntatameri’s ceramics are in the collection of the Lismore Regional Gallery, the National Museum of Australia, the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum), and Shepparton Art Gallery.

This is a fundraising exhibition and all works are sold without any gallery commission in order to help Robert Puruntatameri and his family deal with problems associated with ill health and medical support while maintaining their artistic practice.

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OPENING HOURS
Wednesday - Friday 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Saturday 12.00 - 4.00 pm
Other times by appointment

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work– the Gadigal/Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.