Sculpture | Tangki (donkey) | Kathy Maringka | Tjanpi | 31 x 23 x 9cm

This perfectly earnest Tangki (donkey) Tjulpu sculpture has been handmade by Kathy Maringka, an artist from the community of Kaltjiti (Fregon), South Australia. Featuring a beautifully sculpted body and the sweetest facial expression, 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:
31 x 23 x 9m
Materials: Tjanpi (grasses) Raffia and wool
To view all the Tjanpi sculptures and baskets we have available click HERE

More about Kathy Maringka:
Kathy works at Kaltjiti arts and her paintings are highly sought after. Kathy has been making baskets for many years. In 2013 Kathy
attended a skills development workshop at Fregon and learned to make Tjanpi sculptures. She is married and has five children.

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