Joe Talirunili's hunters frequently combine direct observation with an appealing simplicity of form, and this figure is particularly engaging for the survival of its original hunting equipment. The simply carved stone figure carries a long wooden harpoon, complete with a carefully fashioned head, with neatly bundled cordage suspended at the side, while a knife is tucked in one hand. Crossed white straps, made from found plastic, form a harness across the chest. These carefully assembled accessories transform an otherwise spare figure into a wonderfully detailed evocation of a hunter equipped for travel and the hunt. Joe's use of contrasting materials is especially effective, as wood, plastic and thread introduce colour and texture against the subdued stone. Both documentary and highly personal, the sculpture reflects the artist's familiarity with traditional hunting life while retaining the directness and individuality characteristic of his finest small-scale figures.

MBL