Woven Meaning: The Continuity of Aboriginal Fibre Art

Weaving baskets and making bags were and are essentially women's arts. Not only are they great works of art that originated in ancient times and are still made today, but they also had extremely important functions within the society from which they came. In recent years, the textile arts have emerged from the shadows of craft skills courses and are now represented in art galleries. This has led to a complete change in the way in which people perceive the arts of fibre weaving and basket making among Aboriginals. Baskets have come to be respected as a form of modular sculpture, the interaction of two linear elements creating patterns in colour, light and shade. Never has it been more clearly apparent that Aboriginal fibre constructions are unquestionably fine art.

                                                         Weaving, Photograph: Lucia Rossi

                                                                    Aboriginal Fibre Art

                                                               Unititled, by Helen Guyula

                             An Arukun lady working on string bags. The fibre is termed thuuth or string.
                       Obtained from the cabbage fan farm, the fibre is dyed before being spun into string.

Bottles, 2006
Artist	Robyn Djunginy
	Ramingining NT
Materials	Pandanus, natural dyes, coiling techinque. (left to right) 58.3 x 37.5 cm (diam); 43.6 x 33.5 cm (diam); 78.6 x 43.5 cm (diam); 43.9 x 25.8 cm (diam)

Twined ceremonial dilly bag with diamond designs painted in ochre on the

                      pandanus surface and Rainbow lorikeet feather pendants from eastern Arnhem Land.


Reference:


Picture http://www.sellingyarns.com/2009/images_credited/2009/RobynDunginy.jpg
http://www.sellingyarns.com/2009/images_credited/2009/Weaving.jpg
http://www.sellingyarns.com/2009/images_credited/2009/HelenGuyula.jpg
http://qag.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/81995/banner.jpg
http://images.travelpod.com/users/jenandtony/1.1255919734.aboriginal-fibre-art.jpg
Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/past/recently_archived/floating_life
Innovation for sustainability http://www.sellingyarns.com/2009/credits/
Gallery Unveils Aborigianl Fibre Art Collection http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/gallery-unveils-aboriginal-fibre-art-collection,14179
ONE SUN ONE MOON - Aboriginal Art in Australia [p.271 - 283]