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Jerrk (String Bag)

Jerrk is the Burarra word for string bag. These can vary greatly, with artists commonly using a mix of naturally dyed and un-dyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. The bag is woven by hand, with the beginnings of the bag stretched around the woman’s knees as she sits with her legs stretched out in front of her, to hold it firm as she weaves the bag into being.

Each type of fibre bag, mat, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.

Categories: Maningrida Arts & Culture

Name: Doreen Jinggarrabarra

Language: Burarra (Anbarra)

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Doreen Jinggarrabarra is a leading fibre artist at Maningrida Arts & Culture. After watching her mother Elizabeth Mipilanggurr during her childhood, Doreen began weaving in her early 20s. Jingarrarrabarra specialises in conical dilly bags (burlupurr), woven string bags and mats. She uses a range of natural fibres,  including pandanus, mirlarl (jungle vine/malaisia scandens), sedge grass and kurrajong. Unlike most West Arnhem weavers, she does not dye the fibres with natural pigments, preferring the subtly of the natural variations in colour and tone. She is renowned for her fine weave and intricate designs, which she attributes to learning from her mother. 

She is the Traditional Owner of the fish trap and confers approval to those artists who seek to produce these objects or depict the motif in their paintings. She is a cultural leader in her community, teaching younger generations of weavers and also regularly leads demonstrations and tours for visitors and tourists at the Djomi Museum and MAC. She also works closely with linguistics and academics who study Burarra language and Anbarra dialect.

Her works are held in important public and private collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.

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