We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Large handbag

2009

Artist

M Ganambarr

Australia

27 Dec 1965 – 2023

Language group: Datiwuy, Arnhem region

No image
  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Elcho Island Northern Territory Australia
    Date
    2009
    Media category
    Weaving
    Materials used
    pandanus and bush string
    Dimensions
    handbag: 21.5 x 30.5 x 10.5 cm handbag suspended by string: 47.0 x 30.5 x 10.5 cm
    Credit
    Purchased with funds provided by the Aboriginal Art Collection Benefactors 2010
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    85.2010
    Copyright
    © Mavis Ganambarr
    Artist information
    M Ganambarr

    Works in the collection

    5

    Share
  • About

    Ganambarr was born at Matamata outstation, but now resides at Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island). She was taught to weave by her grandmother. She held her first solo exhibition in 2001 at Bandigan Arts and Crafts, Sydney and has since exhibited in the South Australian Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory.

    Ganambarr has said of her work:

    "I found… weaving when I was about 19, but when I first started learning with my grandmother was when I was little, when I was growing and watching all my grandmother and my grandmother and all my aunties. I grew up in the bush.

    It's important, so part of doing our art is keeping our country strong, so when new generations grow they know what to do. They don’t have to go through reading books or asking questions.

    In my mind I'm always hoping that all kids, the Indigenous kids – I hope and wish for them to learn more and they get an understanding more what this has meant to the Indigenous people."

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Elcho Island

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions

Other works by M Ganambarr

See all 5 works