CompNet Systems

221382366823

Widgie Widgie

Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, spears and clubs for protection of their lives and territory, objects for ceremony and to mark sacred sites.

Hunting implements include the boomerang, woomera and spear. The woomera is a lever which helps to increase the speed and distance the spear travels. Clapsticks are used as percussion instruments by the Songmen to accompany dancing along with the didgeridoo (mago).

As well as the more functional carvings, artists portray animals and birds in wood, and these carvings are often painted. Ceremonial carvings include spirit creatures including mukuy (devil devils) and mimi.

Some fine mimi figures have been cast in bronze.

By CompNet Systems, ago

221382366821

Heron

Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, spears and clubs for protection of their lives and territory, objects for ceremony and to mark sacred sites.

Hunting implements include the boomerang, woomera and spear. The woomera is a lever which helps to increase the speed and distance the spear travels. Clapsticks are used as percussion instruments by the Songmen to accompany dancing along with the didgeridoo (mago).

As well as the more functional carvings, artists portray animals and birds in wood, and these carvings are often painted. Ceremonial carvings include spirit creatures including mukuy (devil devils) and mimi.

Some fine mimi figures have been cast in bronze.

By CompNet Systems, ago

115682366694

JB Fisher – Dry Season

After the long wet season, the land begins to dry and animals come out to hunt. This painting shows a goanna and a possum searching inside a hollow log for eggs or small animals to eat.

By CompNet Systems, ago

115682366693

Woven Mat

Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This mat 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 traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats.

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.

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.

By CompNet Systems, ago

221382367146

Handwoven Dillybag Earrings, Copper/Silver

Wagilak Yapa Watj (Wagilak Sisters) range –
exclusive jewellery from Indigenous women of Beswick. Developed in studio workshops with jeweller Kate Sale and weaver Fiona Gavino, traditional fibre artists are translating their skills into a series of fine woven wire earrings and pendants. Hand woven in sliver, gold and copper, traditional forms are transformed as delicate interpretations of string and dilly bags, baskets and mats.

Featuring sterling silver, 9ct gold and copper (all nickel-free work).

By CompNet Systems, ago

221382367145

Handwoven Dillybag Earrings, Silver 925

Wagilak Yapa Watj (Wagilak Sisters) range –
exclusive jewellery from Indigenous women of Beswick. Developed in studio workshops with jeweller Kate Sale and weaver Fiona Gavino, traditional fibre artists are translating their skills into a series of fine woven wire earrings and pendants. Hand woven in sliver, gold and copper, traditional forms are transformed as delicate interpretations of string and dilly bags, baskets and mats.

Featuring sterling silver, 9ct gold and copper (all nickel-free work).

By CompNet Systems, ago

221382367144

Handwoven Dillybag Earrings, 9ct Gold

Wagilak Yapa Watj (Wagilak Sisters) range –
exclusive jewellery from Indigenous women of Beswick. Developed in studio workshops with jeweller Kate Sale and weaver Fiona Gavino, traditional fibre artists are translating their skills into a series of fine woven wire earrings and pendants. Hand woven in sliver, gold and copper, traditional forms are transformed as delicate interpretations of string and dilly bags, baskets and mats.

Featuring sterling silver, 9ct gold and copper (all nickel-free work).

By CompNet Systems, ago

377810582366994

Ngaldjorlhbo (Mother of Everything)

Ngaldjorlhbo is a powerful woman who created the spiritual and tangible world for the Aboriginal people in Western Arnhem Land. In creating the land and environment, she endowed Kuninjku people with the ability to create art, and with their culture, to share with future generations. Ngaldjorlhbo gives women the cultural knowledge and deep links to country, identity and ancestor spirits. 

‘Ngaldjorlhbo created daluk (women) When she started walking she started talking and telling stories. She create, came together as one. She was walking, thinking and writing with her hand creating all the animals and trees.  Creating mountains and rivers. Came together and made a beautiful flowing wind and river to the coming of the land. From fresh water to the salt water river, all the fish, all kinds of fish she created.

From little bird, big bird she created. She came all the way from east, west, north and south. 

She knows all the places from this land. She was speaking, she was telling, she was creating the country, this world. 

She was carrying kunmadj and digging stick and she created yawkyawk.

So that’s the story about Ngaldjorlhbo.’

Janet Marawarr 2022

 

 

By CompNet Systems, ago

377810582366993

Manbirrbbirr (small bush flowers)

In Kuninjku the name manbirrbbirr is used for a number of densely flowering shrubs and small trees including Verticordia cunninghamii, yellow flowering Austromyrtus species and also Acacia platycarpa which also has dense white. 

 

By CompNet Systems, ago