exhibitions

weavings

4 – 21 March 2021

about the exhibition

Bula’bula Arts, located in Ramingining in North East Arnhem Land, is one of Australia’s most significant art centres and has a core objective to preserve and foster Yolngu culture. The women of Gurrwiliny, the Arafura wetlands in the surrounding area, use pandanus, sandbark and kurrajong fibres, spun and subtly coloured with natural dyes, to create exuberant and elegant pieces. The women’s fine techniques give rise to a variety of sculptural forms and textures which lay witness to the long and powerful cultural continuity in the region.

This exhibition includes pieces by Mary Dhapalany and Evonne Munuyngu, sisters from the artistic family which includes the actor David Gulpilil. The plant materials are harvested from surrounding areas, then worked, treated and woven using knowledge passed on from their ancestors. For most pieces, the body of the weaving is made from pandanus which has to be hand stripped to remove the spikes that line the outside of the leaves. Bush string is used for binding, decorating and basket handles and can be made from Sand Palm, Kurrajong bark and Banyan bark. The plant materials are coloured using natural dyes made from fruits, roots, leaves and barks. Vibrant yellow is created by boiling the roots of the Morinda tree whilst Bloodroot grass is boiled for varying lengths of time to create pinks, purples and deep red colouring. Once the material is treated, the artists then weave objects such as mats, fish traps, batjbarra (water chestnut scoops) and mindirr (dilly bags). Through the creation of these works the Yolngu women connect with their community, histories and country creating beautiful objects and teaching future generations. The artists at Bula’bula are represented in collections nationally and internationally.

Beaver Galleries would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. In particular we would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the traditional custodians of the land on which this exhibition is held.

exhibition images

  • 1. $850 Mary Dhapalany - Woven screen, pandanus and natural dyes, 52 x 100cm (open)

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  • 2. $1,200 Julie Djulibing Malibirr - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 93cm diam. (inner), 166cm diam. (outer)

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  • 3. $850 Mary Dhapalany - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 69cm diam. (inner), 156cm diam. (outer)

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  • 4. $950 Daphne Banyawarra - Woven mat ,pandanus and natural dyes, 59cm diam. (inner), 145cm diam. (outer)

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  • 5. $850 Mary Dhapalany - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 63cm diam. (inner), 168cm diam. (outer)

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  • 6. $3,200 Mary Dhapalany - Batjbarra (scoop), pandanus and natural dyes, 35.5 x 62.1 x 53.7cm

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  • 7. $3,200 Kathleen Malpamba - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 170cm diam. (inner), 245cm diam. (outer)

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  • 8. $550 Evonne Munuyngu - Fish trap, pandanus and natural dyes, 17.8 x 47.4 x 27.1cm

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  • 9. $480 Evonne Munuyngu - Fish trap, pandanus and natural dyes, 16.5 x 40.6 x 16cm

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  • 10. $480 Evonne Munuyngu - Fish trap, pandanus and natural dyes, 14.1 x 42.9 x 19.5cm

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  • 11. $460 Evonne Munuyngu - Fish trap, pandanus, 14 x 50.3 x 14.8cm

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  • 12. $680 Mary Dhapalany - Fish trap, pandanus, 20.5 x 50 x 22.5cm

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  • 13. $620 Daphne Banyawarra - Sugar bag, pandanus and natural dyes, 21.3x 20 x 22cm

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  • 14. $480 Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr - Dhirrithirri (ceremonial skirt) and Malka (ceremonial headdress), kurrajong and feathers, 93 x 20 x 6.5cm; 23 x 18cm

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  • 15. $850 Mary Dhapalany - Woven screen, pandanus, 149 x 98cm (open)

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  • 16. $1,200 Julie Djulibing Malibirr - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 90cm diam. (inner), 180cm diam. (outer)

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  • 17. $950 Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr - Djerrka (String bag), kurrajong, magpie goose feathers and natural dyes, 44 x 39cm

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  • 18. $850 Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr - Djerrka (String bag), kurrajong and natural dyes, 33 x 30cm

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  • 19. $360 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 21 x 16 x 14cm

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  • 20. $420 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 20 x 17 x 18cm

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  • 21. $320 Evonne Munuyngu - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 19 x 17 x 14cm

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  • 22. $1,350 Julie Djulibing Malibirr - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 105cm diam. (inner), 177cm diam. (outer)

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  • 23. $320 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 13 x 10 x 11cm

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  • 24. $360 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 18 x 15.5 x 14cm

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  • 25. $280 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 21 x 12 x 12cm

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  • 26. $260 Evonne Munuyngu - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 15 x 11 x 10cm

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  • 27. $360 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 23 x 15 x 15cm

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  • 28. $320 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 21.5 x 15 x 15cm

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  • 29. $360 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 16 x 14 x 14cm

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  • 30. $260 Mary Dhapalany - Mindirr (dilly bag), pandanus and natural dyes, 15 x 10 x 10cm

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  • 31. $480 Mary Dhapalany - Batjbarra (scoop), pandanus and bush string, 17.5 x 46 x 23.4cm

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  • 32. $480 Mary Dhapalany - Batjbarra (scoop), pandanus, 15 x 46.9 x 21.8cm

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  • 33. $3,200 Mary Dhapalany - Batjbarra (scoop), pandanus and natural dyes, 35.1 x 62.1 x 53.7cm

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  • 34. $850 Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr - Djerrka (String bag), kurrajong, magpie goose feathers and natural dyes, 37 x 27cm

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  • 35. $1,200 Julie Djulibing Malibirr - Woven mat, pandanus and natural dyes, 90cm diam. (inner), 160cm diam. (outer)

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