Thancoupie

Thainakuith
b.1937

Thancoupie was born in 1937 in Napranum, a small village near Weipa in west Cape York Peninsula. She began her career as a preschool teacher and established the first kindergarten in Napranum in 1967. In 1971 she travelled to Sydney, intending to enrol in a graphic arts course at East Sydney Technical College. Although her application for this course was declined, before leaving the campus she was attracted to the ceramics studio and subsequently enrolled.

Today Thancoupie is well established as a leading ceramic artist and acknowledged as being the foremost Indigenous Australian potter. She draws inspiration from traditional legends of her Thainakuith culture and translates these traditional stories into contemporary visual images.

Thancoupie works tirelessly for the Napranum community and she takes a particular interest in arts education for children and young people. Her commitment to educating children about their traditional culture is highlighted by the holiday program run in Weipa. She is a highly respected Elder in her community, and has been involved in the political struggle for native title rights for many years.

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See also . . .

Learn about Pot (Guiree story — flying fox twins story).
Learn about the community of Napranum.
Thancoupie references.