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Rochelle Ferguson - Tjanpi Papa (dog) Sculpture

Rochelle Ferguson - Tjanpi Papa (dog) Sculpture

Original Artwork (they all are!) from a Community-Run, Not-for-Profit Art Centre, Complete with a Certificate of Authenticity Issued by Them.

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  • Aboriginal Artist - Rochelle Ferguson
  • Community - Irruntyju
  • Aboriginal Art Centre - Tjanpi Desert Weavers
  • Materials - Grass and wool
  • Size(cm) - H26 L56 W15

Tjanpi (meaning ‘dry grass’) evolved from a series of basket weaving workshops held on remote communities in the Western Desert by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara Womens’ Council in 1995. Building on traditions of using fibre for medicinal, ceremonial and daily purposes, women took easily to making coiled baskets. These new-found skills were shared with relations on neighbouring communities and weaving quickly spread. Today there are over 400 women across 28 communities making baskets and sculptures out of grass and working with fibre in this way is firmly embedded in Western and Central Desert culture. While out collecting desert grasses for their fibre art women visit sacred sites and traditional homelands, hunt and gather food for their families and teach their children about country. Tjanpi Desert Weavers is Aboriginal owned and is directed by an Aboriginal executive. It is an art business but also a social enterprise that provides numerous social and cultural benefits and services to weavers and their families. Tjanpi’s philosophy is to keep culture strong, maintain links with country and provide meaningful employment to the keepers and teachers of the desert weaving business. 

Made from a combination of native desert grasses, seeds and feathers, commercially bought raffia (sometimes dyed with native plants), string and wool, Tjanpi artworks are unique, innovative and constantly evolving. Some baskets and sculptures contain raffia which is purchased in Australia, imported from Madagascar. Natural hanks of raffia can sometimes be dyed with commercial dyes and less often with natural dyes. Most popular grass used in artworks is Minarri (greybeard grass, Amphipogon caricirus)





Remote Aboriginal artists share their culture through art

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Colours are matched as closely as possible, and with returns under 0.2%, our customers are consistently delighted with their artworks.


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We keep pricing transparent by delivering artworks without added third-party costs, allowing us to offer free shipping and maintain pricing in accordance with each art centre. Canvas and linen pieces are sent rolled for safe delivery and easy re-stretching at your local framer.

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