Philomena Djimalka, Woven Mat, 170cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Philomena Djimalka
• Community - Ramingining
• Homeland -
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Bula'Bula Arts
• Catalogue number - 148-25
• Materials - Pandanus and Natural Dyes
• Size(cm) - Total: D170-180 (irregular) Centre: D87-90

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.

Details are currently unavailable.

From fibre art to paintings depicting traditional stories—internationally renowned Bula’bula Arts supports 150 artist members from Ramingining and its surrounding outstations. Our arts centre is an iconic tropical elevation style building in the heart of the Ramingining community in Central Arnhem Land, 400 kilometres east of Darwin.

Local artists coined the name Bula’Bula meaning the voice/tongue of Gandayala (red kangaroo) Ramingining’s Creation Being. The name represents the message in the song cycle of the red kangaroo’s journey from the Roper River to the Ramingining region. The story is depicted in unique Ramingining-style—steeped in spiritual, ritual and historical narratives across a variety of mediums: print, painting, sculpture, fibre art, song, dance, as well as film and literature mediums.

Text: Bula'bula Arts