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, Read more…
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 Read more…
Warrnyu Dhawu (Flying Fox Story) Back in the Creation time, Warrnyu (Flying Foxes) once lived, like men, in the cave at the place called Kurrki Warrnyu Yirri Djaringal (they also lived in caves called Wadatilmurr & Gurngurmirrngu). Warrnyu lived in these caves for many years and then one day Djanyarr Read more…
Naku (canoe) This painting depicts naku (canoes) that were made traditionally from the bark of a particular tree and used for hunting. In this painting, the canoes are filled with gumang (magpie geese) eggs.
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, Read more…
Djerrk (Bush String Bag) Djerrk (Bush String Bag) is a flexible, open weave bag made from the bark of Balgurr (red-flowered Kurrajong) but can also be made using Banyan Tree or the Cocky Apple Tree. The bark is harvested by cutting sections of the tree from the trunk. Depending on Read more…
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near him were other people, and when Baru didn’t have enough to eat he began to Read more…
Woven Buliya (Catfish) Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land craft both utilitarian and ceremonial objects using naturally sourced materials, with more recent works also including decorative pieces. The choice of fibre depends on the intended function of each piece. One of the primary materials is the young, green leaves of the Read more…
Djerrk (Bush String Bag) Djerrk (Bush String Bag) is a flexible, open weave bag made from the bark of Balgurr (red-flowered Kurrajong) but can also be made using Banyan Tree or the Cocky Apple Tree. The bark is harvested by cutting sections of the tree from the trunk. Depending on Read more…
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of Read more…