Tina Patlas Australian, Tiwi, b. 1968

DANCE: Marntipani (Seagull)

Tina Patlas began painting for Jilamara Arts and Craft Association in 2002. Although Tina’s traditional country spans areas of southwest Melville Island and southeast Bathurst Island (including Nguiu) she grew up mainly at Milikapiti. Tina currently works with Territory Housing in Milkapiti. She has held administrative positions at Jilamara and in 2003 was elected the Treasurer of the Jilamara Arts and Craft Association Executive Committee. Tina has developed her own jilamara (designs) based on bush tucker found on the Tiwi Islands and she has a special interest in the parlini jilamara, the old stories handed down by her ancestors.