This design shows how the bottom part of a black palm basket is woven. My grandmothers and aunties used to make them. They cut off the young palm leaves in the centre, stripped and scrapped them. Then they would put the strips in freshwater to make them soft and keep them straight for weaving.
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UNFRAMED
Hand printed screen print, limited edition on archival Hahnemühle, signed by the artist.
Name: Vanessa Cannon
Language: Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungkul
Community: Mossman
Biography:
I grew up in Mossman, it is my home, and did my schooling here. I have one sister and eight brothers, and I now have five children and two grand-children of my own.
As an artist, I am most interested in screen printing on fabric and making ceramics. I’m keen to continue developing my work for further exhibition opportunities and grow my talent as an artist. I came to the arts through my grandmothers and aunties. I watched them when I was a child and later when I was a young woman I started doing art myself and worked alongside them.
A few years ago, a became an arts worker at Yalanji Arts and I am now responsible for the art studio and look after our artists. We have a pottery and screen printing master who provide studio support, and helps us by developing our printing and pottery skills.
I’ve been exhibiting my work in group exhibitions since 2012 and have had my textiles and fashion designs shown in various fashion performances over the years. It’s very encouraging to me, and working with Yalanji Arts has opened these doors for me, and allowed me to also continue telling the stories of my culture. It’s something I wish for every person to have the chance to do.
Kirbaji (Dugong) Kirbaji (Dugong) is an Ancestral Spirit Being (Totem) that I inherited it from my mother’s side. It is my Totem. The dugong was also an important food source for my ancestors. Only men Read more…
Diwan (Scrub Turkey) Diwan are bush food – an important source of meat. We also eat the eggs. They are a delicacy. The male bird looks after the nest and will not go far, as Read more…
Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) The black cockatoo is my totem. It has been passed down to me from my grandmother and her sisters, to my mum and her sisters and then it came to me and Read more…