Tarntipi is an extended collection (2015-present) arising from the photographer’s commitment to documenting the vision of Tiwi Elder and educator Edward ‘Teddy’ Portaminni (Junior). The collection revolves around Teddy’s Country (Tarntipi), which is situated on Bathurst Island, where the Elder has established a campsite and business (The Tarntipi Bush Camp), facilitating immersive cultural education programs with his wife, Teresia.

Three years into the process of documenting the development of the Tarntipi Bush Camp, Walton-Healey and Portaminni collaborated on exhibition held at Darwin’s Aboriginal Bush Traders from March 16-April 20, 2018. Deepened collaboration ensued from this point, with the photographer returning to Teddy’s Country for both personal and professional reasons. In 2021, the pair produced a photographic slideshow enabling them to deliver cultural education on-site (off-Country) - in the offices of businesses and service providers in Wurrumiyanga (2021), and the NT Government in Darwin (2022).

This process led to the conceptualisation of an extended photographic publication, which Walton-Healey produced in consultation with Portaminni, the first editions being printed in 2023. In addition to featuring an extensive suite of photographs, titled in Tiwi by Teddy, the pair also worked on an extended body of text contextualising the collaboration and vision. In these regards, the Tarntipi publication attests to the strength and endurance of the culture and philosophy underpinning Teddy’s vision for Country, and the intimacy of the connection Walton-Healey shares with his family, Country and camp.