Thomas Munkanome

Year born: 1966
Language: Tiwi
Skin Group:  Jilari / Jabiru
Dance: Tartuwali / Shark

Thomas began carving in the late 1980s along side some of the most well known and respected Tiwi carvers. His carvings resemble the traditional Tiwi style.

Carved cockatoos and pelicans are trade mark works by Thomas.

He was one of the few Aboriginal carvers to participate in the sandstone carving workshop in Broken Hill NSW in 1994, alongside Tiwi artist Gordon Pupangamirri.

Thomas created one of the two large Tutini marking the entrance to the Wurrumiyanga cemetery while working with Ngaruwanajirri 2009.

“I learnt from the old people, they taught us at school, and culture too. Then I started carving in the early 1980`s and kept going. I`d like my children to learn from me and carry on carving.”