CompNet Systems

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Wayuk ( waterlily)

This fabric was created using the linocut fabric printing technique, which has been refined at Bábbarra Women’s Centre since it was introduced in the mid-1990s.

The Lino tile is carved by the artist at Bábbarra Designs. It is printed on fabric by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile is a one-off, limited edition piece.

The fabric is colour-safe and can be thrown into a washing machine. Repeated use will soften the fabric, and some fading will occur over time. 

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.

‘Themes in our artwork almost exclusively come from our Country and cultural connection. Our deep relationship with the land and seas of our customary clan estates strongly defines and governs the social, cultural, spiritual and territorial aspects of our lives.’

Bábbarra Designs Artist Statement

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Yawkyawk (young woman spirit)

Yawkyawk is a word from the Aboriginal Kunwinjku language, meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’.

Sometimes compared to the European notion of mermaids, yawkyawks are usually depicted with the tails of fish. They have long hair, associated with trailing blooms of algae, typically found in Arnhem Land streams and rock pools.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Bathi (Pandanus Basket)

Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This Bathi (Pandanus Basket) is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, or woven using various techniques to produce both functional and decorative baskets.

Typically, Bathi are made using a coiling technique which was adapted from techniques used by Indigenous women throughout Southeast Australia. Introduced to Arnhem Land weavers in the 1930’s as Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Daisy Kemarre Turner – Irrultja, My Country

I was born in Irrultja and I grew up with my mother, father and sister. My mother was the strong painter Rosie Ngwarraye Ross, and my grandmother Biddy Kemarre was a member of the Utopian Batik movement. My sister Margaret Kemarre Ross and my daughters, Rosemary, Desma and Danielle Ngwarraye Turner are all strong artists who paint and live in Ampilatwatja. We all paint the bright and beautiful wild flowers that grow here.

Irrultja is hill country and my mother and father took me hunting, we hunted kangaroo and goanna and cooked them in the fire in the shade of trees. We collected bush tucker and strong bush medicine – Arreth. We loved collecting the small delicious bush tomato and bush medicines to wash our hair and soothe our skin. I loved swimming and playing with my sister as a child.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Barnumbirr – Morning Star

Barnumbirr as a Morning Star is a creator spirit in Yolngu culture. Her story is part of the Dhuwa moiety. Barnumbirr flew eastward creating a song-line which includes descriptions of flora, fauna, geographical features and clan borders. Barnumbirr’s songline therefore formed the basis of Madayin Law and the Yolngu understanding of the land.

There is a “Morning Star Ceremony” and due to its scale and importance, the requires a significant level of planning. Part of the ceremony features a Morning Star Pole, which is a decorated and feathers are attached to the top of the pole which represent the Morning Star itself.

By CompNet Systems, ago

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Kwanty Penh (After the Rain)

We paint the bush medicine, bush tucker and bush flowers that are most personal and meaningful to us. 

While we work we have big talks about community matters, old time stories and bush tucker stories, how the blackberries would be out soon and how delicious they are kwanty penh (after the rain).

We go out bush after rain to hunt, the flowers all bloom, all the big berries are everywhere and the bush medicine grows all green.The colours are everywhere, it shows us that summer is coming, this time of year makes everyone very happy

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

220982374072

Kwanty Penh (After the Rain)

We paint the bush medicine, bush tucker and bush flowers that are most personal and meaningful to us. 

While we work we have big talks about community matters, old time stories and bush tucker stories, how the blackberries would be out soon and how delicious they are kwanty penh (after the rain).

We go out bush after rain to hunt, the flowers all bloom, all the big berries are everywhere and the bush medicine grows all green.The colours are everywhere, it shows us that summer is coming, this time of year makes everyone very happy

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

220982374071

Kwanty Penh (After the Rain)

We paint the bush medicine, bush tucker and bush flowers that are most personal and meaningful to us. 

While we work we have big talks about community matters, old time stories and bush tucker stories, how the blackberries would be out soon and how delicious they are kwanty penh (after the rain).

We go out bush after rain to hunt, the flowers all bloom, all the big berries are everywhere and the bush medicine grows all green.The colours are everywhere, it shows us that summer is coming, this time of year makes everyone very happy

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

220982374070

Kwanty Penh (After the Rain)

We paint the bush medicine, bush tucker and bush flowers that are most personal and meaningful to us. 

While we work we have big talks about community matters, old time stories and bush tucker stories, how the blackberries would be out soon and how delicious they are kwanty penh (after the rain).

We go out bush after rain to hunt, the flowers all bloom, all the big berries are everywhere and the bush medicine grows all green.The colours are everywhere, it shows us that summer is coming, this time of year makes everyone very happy

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

220982374069

Kwanty Penh (After the Rain)

We paint the bush medicine, bush tucker and bush flowers that are most personal and meaningful to us. 

While we work we have big talks about community matters, old time stories and bush tucker stories, how the blackberries would be out soon and how delicious they are kwanty penh (after the rain).

We go out bush after rain to hunt, the flowers all bloom, all the big berries are everywhere and the bush medicine grows all green.The colours are everywhere, it shows us that summer is coming, this time of year makes everyone very happy

 

By CompNet Systems, ago