Anna Ramatha Malibirr, Gapuwiyak - Woven basket

• Aboriginal Artist - Anna Ramatha Malibirr
• Community - Gapuwiyak
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts
• Materials - Pandanus, natural dyes.
• Size(cm) - H23 W18 D19
• Postage Variant - Sent rolled for safe shipping and requires flattening before hanging/use

Baskets are made from Gunga (Pandanus Palm) and often include Balgurr (Bush string) Many baskets are made using a coiling process and others are made with a twining technique seen in mats. Some baskets are plain, but many are dyed with natural bush dyes. Some artists are trying out new techniques and colours.

Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation is a recent initiative of the remote East Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak, also known as Lake Evella. The organisation is not-for-profit. It was created to enhance the wellbeing of Yolngu people living in the region by supporting their cultural practices, values and intellectual property while providing opportunities for leadership, meaningful employment, and professional development.

Pandanus are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs, their leaves “pandan” are commonly used in traditional handicraft. The young leaves are harvested and sliced into fine strips, followed by a colouring process, in which the strips are placed in drums of bush dyes, roots and leaves from different plants sourced in the area. Dye is extracted through bashing and crushing techniques, then added to the water with the pandanus to create these vivid hues. The pandan strips are then woven into intricate baskets and mats or rolled into ropes for other designs.