$247.50 Regular price

Tjanpi Desert Weaver Sculpture: Tjilkamarta (Echidna) by Joyce James

Tjanpi Desert Weavers operates as a social enterprise under the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, engaging women in the remote Central and Western desert regions to generate income through contemporary fibre art. The term "Tjanpi," meaning grass in Pitjantjatjara language, symbolizes the collaboration of over 400 Anangu/Yarnangu women artists hailing from 26 distant communities across the NPY lands.

These skilled Tjanpi artists utilize native grasses to craft remarkable contemporary fibre art, skillfully weaving intricate baskets and sculptures that showcase boundless creativity and ingenuity. Rooted in the traditional art of making manguri rings, the practice of working with fibre has evolved into an integral aspect of Central and Western desert culture.

Joyce James, Warakurna, WA

Joyce James is an artist belonging to the Ngaanyatjarra language and cultural group and lives in the remote community of Warakurna, Western Australia.

Born in Laverton WA, Joyce spent her childhood between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) in the Northern Territory and Warakurna. Joyce grew up watching her grandmothers, Tjuakpati James and Mrs Newberry, making Tjanpi. She is now married to the son of senior Tjanpi artist Dianne Golding and has been making Tjanpi baskets and sculptures since 2018.

  • Tjikamarta (Enchidna) 1937-25
  • L29cm x W13cm x H12cm
  • Tjanpi (grass), Acrylic wool, Raffia
Tjanpi Desert Weaver Sculpture: Tjilkamarta (Echidna) by Joyce James

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