Helen Garrawurra
Helen Garrawurra
Mol miṉḏirr (black conical basket)
25.5 x 23.5cm, Pandanus palm with natural dyes, 2025.
The technique of immersion dyeing has been widely practiced in Arnhem Land since around the 1920’s. However, the recipe for creating natural black dye from local plants was refined by Rarru. Yolŋu weavers respect Rarru’s affinity with mol (black) and whilst they know the recipe and use mol in their work the singular use of mol is reserved for Rarru and those who she gives permission. Currently Margaret Rarru and Helen Ganalmirriwuy are the only artists who can make mindirr mol (twined dilly bags), while their nieces Mandy Batjula and Elizabeth Rukarriwuy have permission to work with black using a coil stitch technique.
Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra is a proud Ḻiyagawumirr Garrawurra woman. Ganalmirriwuy grew up on her mother's Country at Laŋarra. Her father's Country, Gärriyak, is on the mainland, south of Galiwin’ku and Laŋarra. Today Ganalmirriwuy lives and works at Milingimbi and Laŋarra. As a master weaver and painter, she is known or her limited palette inspired by Ḻiyagawumirr Garrawurra ceremonial body paint designs.