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Woven Dragonfly

This finely crafted hand woven dragonfly is a cheerful reminder of the real dry season dragonflies.

Signalling in the dry season, dragonflies are ubiquitous with dry winds, cool nights and saying goodbye to the wet season! Our senior fibre artists are continuing to expand their techniques and range with dragonflies and other complex woven forms. Each are unique, hand woven and coloured using natural bush dyes.

Pandanus fibre art is labour intensive requiring a high level of care and fine needlework. Finished works are both functional and beautiful. Women collect pandanus by pulling from the top of a pandanus tree, stripping then dying the leaves using natural bush colour.

Name: Julie Ashley


Language: Rittharrngu


Community: Wugularr (Beswick)


Biography:

Julie was born on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land. She was taught to weave with pandanus and to collect the natural bush dyes by her mother. Julie has created a range of contemporary fibre artefacts such as lampshades, hats, mobiles and quirky animals including fish, turtles and dragonflies. She has also designed for Djilpin's textiles and jewellery ranges range and created a number of limited edition screen prints. Julie leads weaving workshops and dances Bunggul.

Julie has conducted weaving workshops in Canberra, Darwin and Wugularr. As well as being an artist, Julie has been an Arts Worker at Djilpin Arts and currently a Board Director.


© the artist / art centre