Our starting point was the Manguri…we were all familiar with the construction of this and for a long time they were the inspiration of our early baskets… It was amazing how quickly we progressed from those traditionally inspired objects to more unusual creations such as chickens and roosters. For me, it was a natural progression to go from making baskets to making dogs. One day I just decided, ‘I think I’ll make a dog today!’ So I did!
Kantjupayi Benson, 2008
I love making baskets. I want to make more and more but I’ve only got two hands!
Anne Dixon, Big Basket maker extraordinaire
I like making grass sculptures. It feels good and gives me something to do…to keep busy, you know, in camp…or anywhere. When I go for a ride with anyone, anytime I can get some tjanpi and sit down and make work. I’m ninti (clever) for that one now.
Janet Forbes, Papulankutja (Ngaanyatjarra)
Tjanpi artists create an endless variety of unique and beautiful baskets and sculptures that are highly regarded both in the Indigenous art world and the contemporary craft and design world. The works are made from native grasses (tjanpi), hand-dyed raffia, feathers, wool, wire and a variety of other materials depending on what inspires and is available at the time.
Baskets range from small works that nestle neatly in the palm of your hand to large and imposing vessels reminiscent of rugged desert terrain. Tjanpi artists are endlessly inventive with their sculptural work producing animated, quirky and colourful figures and animals, as well as objects such as teapots, trucks and planes. Sculptural works reflect everyday community life as well as drawing on Tjukurrpa stories for inspiration.
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