111982204099

Mandjabu Kuninjku people traditionally make two sorts of conical fish traps. One called Mandjabu made from milil a vine. And another smaller one called manyilk Mandjabu, made from the grass manylik. The milil conical fish trap is bigger and stronger Read more…

111982204098

String Bag String bags can vary greatly. Artists commonly use a mix of naturally dyed and undyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured Read more…

111982204096

Clapsticks Clapsticks are carved from ironwood and are made to accompany the didjeridu, used for ceremony and dancing. The distinctive sound of the clapsticks can be heard played ceaselessly into the night to honour the funeral rites of Aboriginal people Read more…

111982204095

Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this being exists in the form Read more…

111982203762

Coil Basket Coiling technique was introduced in the 1920s at Goulburn Island to the Maung people by missionaries and quickly spread to the mainland. Many artists produce coiled baskets of varied shapes, ranging from small round baskets to large oval Read more…

111982203761

Coil Basket Coiling technique was introduced in the 1920s at Goulburn Island to the Maung people by missionaries and quickly spread to the mainland. Many artists produce coiled baskets of varied shapes, ranging from small round baskets to large oval Read more…

111982203760

Coil Basket Coiling technique was introduced in the 1920s at Goulburn Island to the Maung people by missionaries and quickly spread to the mainland. Many artists produce coiled baskets of varied shapes, ranging from small round baskets to large oval Read more…

115682203860

Djunggaliwarr (conch shell) This painting is part of The Milky Way songline (Badurru) which takes place near Hutchinson Strait at a place called Gurruwana. It is a story affiliated with the Liyagalawumirr clan of the Dhuwa moiety. The conch shell Read more…

115682203845

Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item.  Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, Read more…

© the artist / art centre