Ngaruwanajirri

Ngaruwanajirri, meaning 'helping one another' in Tiwi, is an art centre located in Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, Northern Territory. Established in 1994, it supports a group of Tiwi artists, including those with disabilities, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. The centre operates from the heritage-listed Ngaruwanajirri Building, also known as the 'Tiwi Sistine Chapel,' renowned for its detailed murals by past masters of Tiwi design and culture. Artists at Ngaruwanajirri create works in various media, including traditional ochre paintings, watercolours, silk batiks, and carvings, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Tiwi Islands. Their artworks are represented in state galleries across Australia and internationally.