Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item.
Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
Name: Mary Dhapalany (1)
Language: Mandhalpuy
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Mary is a proud Mandhalpuy woman has been a practicing artist for four decades, and her weaving artwork is representative of traditional craft passed down through generations of women weavers in her family. The 70-year-old artist uses natural dyes, extracted from earth pigment or plant roots, to colour the pandanus leaf (gunga) used in her work. Mary is considered a master weaver in Arnhem Land. Due to her career and accolades, she has made Yolngu weaving visible.
Mary’s weavings are much sought after and she was recently invited to represent Australia in the Aichi Triennale, Japan and in Craft Masters Asia Pacific Program, China. Her pieces are in the following collections; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Chicago School of Business, Artbank, Sydney, University of Sydney and Janet Holmes a’ Court Collection. Mary was part of the team who won the National Indigenous Fashion Award for her collaboration with MAARA designer Julie Shaw. Mary was the recent recipient of the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region Craft Master Award in 2023.
Good bush food story This is a story of the artists dreaming and his family. A freshwater story of looking for food, you can see the long-neck turtles and file snakes in the water. It Read more…
Evonne’s Buliya (catfish) dhawu (story) In this painting, Evonne has painted her Mari (mothers, mother) dreaming of Buliya (catfish). This is a freshwater story from Ganalbingu country in the Arafura Wetlands. Evonne’s Mari taught Evonne’s Read more…
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near Read more…