Tatum is drawn to painting jamerndel (ant hills, or termite mounds) as they are significant to Gija Country but also because of their meaning to her and her family.
Her ancestors were placed in jamerndel of a particular colour when they passed away, and her Jaru side family believe anthills are for healing. “You get rubbed down with the anthill, after you wash it off you feel refreshed, it takes away bad vibe also cold sick too.”
Name: Tatum Rivers - Purdie
Community: Warmun
Biography:
Tatum Rivers was born in 1994
Her parents are Madeline Purdie a third generation Warmun artist and Ronald Rivers from Halls Creek area.
Tatum is the granddaughter of Warmun artist Shirley Purdie and Great granddaughter of the late Madigan Thomas.
Tatum Rivers is a fourth generation Warmun Artist.
Tatum first started painting in 2021 and likes to paint the stories that she has learnt from her Great grandmother Madigan, grandmother Shirley and mother Madeline. These are stories from Guda Guda Country and they depict the Country, the history and the Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) from that place.
Tatum has three brothers, Curtis Morgan, Neil Morgan and Spencer Morgan. Curtis and Spencer live in Warmun, Neil lives in Broome.
Tatum is a proud partner to Preston Gallagher/ Dolby and a very proud mother to her only son Bryce Gallagher - Purdie.
Tatum has two nieces and a nephew Kendall, Elaynah and Malakai Morgan
JUWARKJIL (NIGHT BIRD) Bessie tells the story of this painting, “At night when Aboriginal people hear the sound of this bird they tell the children to go to sleep early, be quiet and not to Read more…
DURROODJIE- Black Hill in Bow River- By Kathy Ramsay This hill is the home of the caveman called Yoonggoog. He’s a spirit that clams the land. He’s like a traditional owner. Like our Ancestors, also Read more…
Yarrunga – Chinamen’s Garden – IVY DRILL As growing up me and my family used to go looking for gold and we put it in Milk Tins and bury the tins under ground, til we Read more…