Joy Wilfred — 'Wulbung (Basket)' 20-26, Numbulwar Numburindi Arts

This carefully woven piece by Joy Wilfred puts natural materials front and centre, emitting natural beauty that speaks of the Country it comes from.

Locally-harvested pandanus leaves are woven raw, or dyed naturally using roots, leaves or flowers to produce a beautiful, subdued colour palette.

Joy Wilfred is a Ritharrngu artist who lives and works with her sisters and niece in Numbulwar. Joy’s artistic practice is heavily influenced by her grandmother, who took her out bush to harvest and peel pandanus for wulbung (basket) weaving, and to dig and prepare dye materials to colour the pandanus. Joy is renowned for her tireless work ethic, weaving at all hours of the day and through the night. 

Primarily using traditional pandanus techniques for her wulbung (baskets), epic pandanus mats and dilly bags (which Joy remembers her family using to hold wild honey), Joy is also known to experiment with ghost nets and shade cloth for
another form of bag known as yir, using acrylics to paint culturally significant designs

“Ngilipitji is my Country, that's where I grew up. From Ngilipitji we went to Walker River, walking on foot. My language is Yolngu Matha. My clan is Wagilak on my father's side, Ritharrngu on my mother's side. My totems are wild honey and black crow."

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Numbulwar Numburindi Arts x Craft

Built on self-determination, Numbulwar Numburindi Arts (NNA) is a collective of artists whose mission is to keep culture strong. Established in 2019, Numbulwar’s first art centre is 100 percent owned and controlled by the community. Born from the community’s desire to practice and engage with traditional culture, NNA is a space for artistic and cultural expression.

Numbulwar sits on the Rose River and belongs to the Nunggayinbala clan, one of the Wubuy or Nunggubuyu speaking clans from the region. Ceremonial activities are still very important within the region and occur regularly.

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Material: Pandanus

Dimensions:  18 x 5cm

Cat. no: 20-26