Mindirr (Pandanus Bag) Miṉḏirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the miṉḏirr is made from gunga, and the handles from baḻgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then boiled with the dyes. Miṉḏirr were used traditionally for every day Read more…
Matjka (Ceremonial Body Wear) Matjka are ceremonial body adornments made from balgurr (Kurrajong). The bark is stripped from the tree, smashed with a rock to soften then boiled, sometimes with natural bush dyes. The balgurr is then rolled in the a rope then used to create ceremonial wear.
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, round and oblong.
Djerrk (Bush String Bag) Djerrk are primarily made from the bark of Baḻgurr (Red-flowered Kurrajong – Brachychiton megaphyllus) but sometimes Banyan tree (Ficus virens) and Cocky Apple tree (Planchonia careya). Sections of the tree are cut, and depending on the size, whole portions or part portions from the trunk. The Read more…
Shield Shields were used as modesty shields for women, normally worn around the shoulders or around the waist. This shield has been made from balgurr (kurrajong). The balgurr is removed from the trunk of trees, the inner bark removed then stripped and smashed to soften. It is boiled to further soften Read more…
Bak ‘bididi (frogs) This painting depicts Bak’ bididi (frogs) sitting around a billabong. The Arafura wetlands across East Arnhem Land are filled with billabongs during the wet season, providing the perfect living conditions for bak’ bididi. Their calls you can hear far and wide during the day and night.
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…
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…
Baltji (Yam) This painting depicts Baltji (Yam) which has been a reliable food source for Yolngu people for many centuries. Baltji can be found across the different landscapes of East Arnhem Land and are only harvested seasonally.
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…