Sculpture | Papa (dog) | Winifred Reid | Tjanpi | 59 x 22 x 20cm

This special Papa (dog) sculpture has been handmade by Winifred Reid, a Ngaanyatjarra artist from the remote community of Warakurna in Western Australia. Featuring a wonderfully sculpted body and a characterful cheeky dog pose - this is a truly special piece of First Nations art.

Weaving with fibre in this way has become a fundamental part of Central and Western desert culture and draws on the traditional practice of making manguri rings - a ring worn on the head made of grasses and cloth.  Here we see traditional weaving techniques re-framed using a mix of traditional and contemporary materials - including wool! The result is a strikingly bold and colourful sculptural piece with layers of historical significance.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is an aboriginal owned social enterprise that works with over 400 Anangu/Yarnangu women artists from 26 remote communities across the remote Central and Western desert regions. Tjanpi artists use native grasses, wool, string, seeds and feathers to make spectacular contemporary fibre art, weaving beautiful baskets and sculptures and displaying endless creativity and inventiveness. While out collecting desert grasses, women visit sacred sights and traditional homelands, hunt and gather food for their families and teach their children about country.

Details:
59 x 22 x 20cm
Materials: Tjanpi (grasses) Raffia and wool
To view all the Tjanpi sculptures and baskets we have available click HERE

More about Winifred Reid:
Winifred Reid is an artist belonging to the Ngaanyatjarra language and cultural group. Born in the bush near Tjukurla, she spent her childhood travelling around with her family between the remote communities of Papunya,Kaltukatjara, and Mantamaru. Winifred se??led in Warakurna in the 1970s during the homeland movement, and this is where she resides today. Primarily working with traditional Tjanpi materials, including wool, raffia and Minarri grass, Winifred's work depicts local desert animals and shapes of traditional artefacts. Winifred's sculptures have a strong fluid shapes and a distinctive aesthetic which reveals much of the underlying tjanpi.

Winifred says one of her favourite things about making Tjanpi is being able to go out onto country for grass collecting and hunting. Winifred is also an accomplished painter represented by Warakurna Artists and punu artist (wood carver) represented by Maruku Arts. Winifred is a quietly spoken and compassionate woman whose humour sneaks up on you and makes you smile all day.

Please note: measurements are approximate due to the 3D nature of Tjanpi baskets and sculptures.