Maningrida Arts & Culture

Kuninjku artist Owen Yalandja is a senior member of the Dangkorlo clan, the custodians of an important yawkyawk site. In the early 1980s, Yalandja learned carving from his father, renowned artist Crusoe Kuningbal who invented, in the early 1960’s the representation of mimih spirit in sculptural form for use in a trade ceremony called Mamurrng. Members of the Darnkolo clan have re-established an outstation community at Barrihdjowkkeng near a billabong that is a Yirridjdja moiety sacred site for the yawkyawk (mermaid-like) spirits. Yalandja works exclusively with the kurrajong tree for carving and carefully selects trunks which can be thin and curvilinear to give his figures a sinuous appearance. His work is represented in major International collections and has been exhibited at major institutions both locally and globally including at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Australia, Melbourne Museum, Bargehouse Gallery, London and Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. His work has also been presented at the Venice Biennale, Biennale of Sydney and the National Indigenous Triennial.

Doreen Jinggarrabarra is a leading fibre artist at Maningrida Arts & Culture. After watching her mother Elizabeth Mipilanggurr during her childhood, Doreen began weaving in her early 20s. Jingarrarrabarra specialises in conical dilly bags (burlupurr), woven string bags and mats. She uses a range of natural fibres, including pandanus, mirlarl (jungle vine/malaisia scandens), sedge grass and kurrajong. Unlike most West Arnhem weavers, she does not dye the fibres, preferring the subtly of the natural variations in colour and tone. She is renowned for her fine weave and intricate designs, which she attributes to learning from her mother. Doreen is a cultural leader in her community, teaching younger generations of weavers and also regularly leads demonstrations and tours for visitors and tourists at the Djomi Museum and Maningrida Art Centre.

Anthea Stewart’s Country is Jimardi Outstation, started weaving since she was about 11 years of age learning from her grandmother. She is an accomplished weaver of An-gujechiya (Fish Trap), Burlupurr (Dilly bags) and earrings. Her weaving are recognisable wit strong bright bands of coloured Pandanus (pandanus)

Bonnie Burangarra belongs to the Burarra / Walamangu people and is an internationally celebrated fibre artist. Bonnie grew up, and continues to live, on her ancestral country at Yilan in the Cape Stewart area. She is a Traditional owner of Yilan as well as Yurrwi (Milingimbi Island). Bonnie and her late husband Jacky Maranbarra are two of few remaining Master Anguchechiya (fish trap) makers. Examples of their work are held in many public and private collections. Bonnie also makes beautiful gulukurr (bathi or dilly bags) and Bamagral nanmarra (conical mat with functions including wrapping or covering babies, womens skirt or covering for young girls during coming of age ceremony). Bonnie has the wisdom, strength and gentleness of a women that has spent her entire life living on her homeland with her ancestral culture engrained in her everyday life. Her artwork has been exhibited extensively and Bonnie is represented by both Maningrida Arts and Milingimbi Art and Culture.

Freda Wayartja is a master weaver and cultural leader and educator. She is Burarra, one of the east-side language groups who specialise in the customary conical dilly bags, woven string bags and mats. She is particularly renowned for the use of mirlarl, (malaisia scandens), a type of vine that grows in the coastal jungle. The use of this vine to manufacture fish traps, barriers and large strong dillybags is unique to this region. She is a cultural leader in her community, teaching younger generations of weavers and also regularly leading demonstrations and tours for visitors and tourists.

Ricky Ankin is a young arts worker from Maningrida Community. He started working at the art centre in 2021 and has quickly grown into an essential and valued team member. When he is not working at the art centre Ricky is spending time out bush with family fishing and hunting. He is also an amazing athlete playing basketball and AFL football in the local Maningrida leagues and has completed at Buranga and Kurrung sporting festivals.

Allison first start working at Maningrida Arts & Culture back in the early 2000’s she left after a few years of work and returned back to the art centre in 2021. One of Allison’s biggest jobs is photographing all the art works, photo-shopping them and uploading them to SAM database. She was selected participant of ANKA’s Arts Worker Extension Program furthering her skills as and art workers and completing an internship in Art Conservation at the University of Melbourne. In her spare time she is also an accomplished weaver and enjoying making mats in strong and striking patterns.