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Kun-madj – large dillybag vine

Kun-madj, or dilly bag, is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the vine ‘Malasia scandens’, a strong pliable plant which grows along the floor and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The bags are used to collect any kind of large numbers of heavy foods such as fish caught in conical fish traps or large collections of yams.

They can also be made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant which grows in many areas of Arnhem Land. These dilly bags are a tightly woven collecting basket, very finely made. These dilly bags are often used to collect sugarbag, the native honey

As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and associated with particular sites in the landscape.

Name: Apphia Wurrkidj


Language: Kuninjku


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Apphia Wurrkidj learned to paint in the Mumeka style from her father James Iyuna (dec) and mother Melba Gunjarrwanga. She is part of the next generation who continue to produce the strong geometric rarrk that represents key Djang* sites on their clan lands. Common subjects of her work include the Dilebang (Waterhole) site, Wak Wak (Black Crow) at Kurrurldul and Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent). The intensity of her compositions and fine linework make her works stand out from those of her peers.

 

*The eternal and life-giving transformative power that accounts for every aspect of existence. 


© the artist / art centre