Handwoven 2D Fibre Sculpture by Samantha Malkudja of Maningrida Arts and Culture

It is well known that Aboriginal art often depicts images of sacred totems or dreamings of Aboriginal culture. However, the world of the non-sacred also provides a rich source of subject matter for Aboriginal art. Much of the rock art of western Arnhem Land for example features secular topics such as common food animals and plants, depicted because of their economic importance but also merely because of their existence in the environment. The artist has woven a 'birlmu' or 'namarnkorl' (Barramundi [Lates calcarifer]).

During the dry season the barramundi is an important food source for inland Aboriginal people. These fish are caught throughout the artist’s clan estate, either in fishtraps woven from pandanus or sedge grass, or else hunted with spears and fishing lines in billabongs and streams where they shelter from the sun under fallen logs or amongst the leaves of water plants.

Please note: This artwork is part of our current exhibition 'Living off our waters' running from 23 November - 28 January 2024. All purchased works will be dispatched from Tuesday 30th January. Please reach out if you require your artwork prior to Christmas/the end of the year and we can arrange this for you.

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