Jennifer Dikarr Malarra Roy
Jennifer Dikarr Malarra Roy
136 x 92.5 x5cm Gunga mät (Pandanus Mat)
Yolŋu have always used local plant fibres to weave everyday functional objects that include ŋaṉmarra (conical mats), dhomala (canoe sails) and get(skirts). Ŋaṉmarra were worn by Yolŋu women as skirts as well as to swaddle, cover and protect children while sleeping. Today the same techniques are used to weave mät (contemporary two-dimensional woven art objects).
Jennifer Dikarr is a senior artist and master weaver. Dikarr is known for her use of bold pinks, reds and purples, produced by dyes sourced from plants harvested at her mother’s homeland of Yilan. Yilan is located on the mainland east of Yurrwi (Milingimbi). Dikarr is the wife of artist Alfred Walpay, they work closely together, often drawing on their traditional knowledge of materials and skills to produce new forms. Their collaborative sculptural works show their mastery of working with traditional media to produce artworks which are distinctly their own contemporary designs.