June 2025

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Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (seven sisters, Bush medicine) – Anawari Mitchell

In Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (Seven Sisters Bush Medicine) Anawari intertwines the Seven Sisters narrative with the art of making bush medicine. Depicting special leaves and shrubs with the circular technique used to skilfully brew into tea or crafted into rubbing ointment. Anawari is a custodian of Kungkarrangkalpa Tjukurrpa (dreamtime) for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Wati Nyiru (Magic Man) fell in love with the sisters; he was of the wrong skin group to marry, but he still pursued them on their journey. The sisters travel across the land to escape Nyiru’s unwanted attentions, he is persistent, shape-shifting into other forms looking for the sisters. There are significant land forms which can be sited today that evidence this dreaming. As Nyiru is chasing the sisters he tries to catch them by using magic to turn into the most tempting kampurarrpa (bush tomato) and the most beautiful yirli (wild fig tree), for them to eat and camp under. However, the sisters are knowledgeable of his magic and too clever for Nyiru who they outwit again and again. 

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Kayawa (baby floor mat)

A round design depicting a small pandanus floor mat used to nurse a baby. 

This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile piece is a one-off, limited edition piece. Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Marebu (Floor Mat)

Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan.

Wurrkidj’ country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. She is an accomplished artist working across mediums including painting, sculpture, weaving and textile design. In her later years, Deborah has focused her efforts on mentoring her niece, Temika Namundja.

Works in fibre from the Maningrida region are widely recognised as some of the finest in Australia. Artists confidently push the boundaries of fibre craft and cultural expression, adapting traditional techniques and forms to produce strikingly inventive and aesthetically exquisite artworks.

Artists weave many different kinds of mats. Conical mats were traditionally used to shield babies from mosquitoes. Long flat mats were used for blocking creeks so that fish would be diverted into fish traps. A small triangular mat made of pandanus fibre used to be worn by women during ceremonial gatherings, tied around their back and covering them at the front. Mats are also used for wrapping and rinsing food in water.

Artists usually use kundayarr, pandanus spiralis, to weave decorative round or oblong mats, as well as the less common triangular and conical shapes. Weaving is physically hard work, now done only by women. They colour the pandanus using natural dyes made from the roots, leaves or flowers of plants within the weaver’s clan estate.

The radial woven patterns of the finest round mats appear to vibrate with colour, sometimes regarded as an aesthetic manifestation of deep cultural meaning, as there is a significant spiritual dimension to pandanus mats.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Wayuk (Waterlily)

Wayuk (Waterlily) Nymphaea violacea. 

The stem of wayuk is a popular bushfood and the beautiful flower is enjoyed across Arnhem Land. 

This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile piece is a one-off, limited edition piece. Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Birmba (White Cockatoo)

Birmba (White Cockatoo) is my family totem. It has been passed down from generation to generation. They always remind me of my grandfather, my sister and other family members who have passed on. White Cockatoos are like protective spirits for me and my family. They will give you signs. Good signs and signs of danger. They will let you know when to move on.
When I’m out with my grandchildren and there is a white cockatoo, I might say, “that is your grandmother, my sister who is watching us”.

At other times, the spirits of other family members visit us in form of white cockatoos. The White Cockatoo keeps our living and past family connected to each other and to our country. When I’m alone, I know they are around. I speak to their spirit and they give me strength.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Dijarr (Jungle Perch)

Traditionally men hunted Dijarr (Jungle Perch), they used berries to attract the fish to the surface and caught them either with a line or with traps made from lawyer vine.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Makarr (Fish Trap)

Fish traps are called Makarr in our language. They were made by men only. Our fathers and uncles used to make them with the lawyer vine. They stripped the stems and then soaked them in the river to keep them soft and bendy. They also had a special way of weaving the fish traps. They used them in the river to catch eels, jungle perch, fresh water catfish and turtle. To attract fish our old people used to sprinkle rain forest berries as bait over the trap.

By CompNet Systems, ago