Sculpture | Leonie Bennett | Tjanpi | 53 x 30 x 18cm

This wonderfully quirky lizard sculpture has been handmade by Leonie Bennett, a Ngaanyatjarra artist from the remote community of Kaltukatjara (Docker River), Northern Territory. Featuring intricate weaving and the sweetest 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:
53 x 30 x 18cm
Materials: Tjanpi (grasses) Raffia and wool
To view all the Tjanpi sculptures and baskets we have available click HERE

More about Leonie Bennett:
Leonie Bennett is an artist belonging to the Ngaanyatjarra language and cultural group and lives in the remote community of Kaltukatjara (Docker River) in the Northern Territory. Leonie is a keen fibre artist who loves creating quirky sculptural representations of the animals she sees out bush. Leonie works as an arts worker at the local art centre, Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art.

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