Status: Stock
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.
Name: Vanessa Cannon
Language: Kuku Nyungkul, Kaantju
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 three 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 exhibitions and shows 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.
Kurranji (Cassowary) Long time ago, the cassowary was a precious food source for our ancestors. They ate the meat and the eggs, used the feathers for ceremonies and weaving, and the skins for blankets. The Cassowary Read more…
