Lomburr Marika Michelle - Bathi (Basket)
A beautiful multi-coloured woven hand bag made by Lomburr Marika Michelle of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.
The traditional art of weaving baskets from Pandanus leaves is characterised by labor-intensive processes. Gathering Pandanus leaves can be physically demanding, as the spiky leaves must be carefully harvested and flayed before drying. Special crooks, called Galpuŋaniny, are employed to extract the central, unbent leaves, which can reach impressive heights of ten to twenty feet. The Pandanus (Gunga-Pandanus Yirrkalaensis) regenerates but can't be reharvested for months.
Natural dyes sourced from bulbs, roots, and bark of specific woodland plants, each unique to their growth locations, are used to colour the materials. Typically, women work together in groups to weave, while men create ceremonial or sacred objects not meant for sale. The dyeing tradition, which replaced ochre painting, may have originated from the West but lacks a specific timeframe.
Circular and conical mats played a vital role in Yolŋu family life, serving both utilitarian purposes such as sitting, sleeping, and child minding, as well as ceremonial significance, symbolising the creation of life, including the Sun as the ultimate source. This coil weaving style likely arrived with missionaries in the 1930s, influenced by the Narrindjeri from the Coorong, known as "Bathi" or baskets by the Yolŋu people.
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre
Buku-Larrŋgay means “the feeling on your face as it is struck by the first rays of the sun (i.e. facing East), and Mulka means “a sacred but public ceremony.”
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre is ...
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We collaborate exclusively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, art centres and businesses. Our goal is to support them in their artistic, creative and cultural endeavours with the goal of creating a self-sustaining and self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander retail and arts industry.
Our art and products are sourced from Aboriginal-owned businesses and Art Centers. Suppliers are carefully vetted to ensure their authenticity and businesses are certified by the Indigenous Art Code.
We will provide you with a certificate of authenticity with art purchases and relevant product information with other purchases. -
We support many amazing independent artists, art centres and businesses and love to promote them!
Our model of working isn’t about representation of a small stable of artists but rather a growing hub and an artistic community.
You can find a lot of information as you navigate our website. Check out the Artists and Brands pages. We often link to their websites so you can explore further. -
Each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist, art centre and business are unique and prices are negotiated and can vary.
Generally speaking, we take a 30% commission on sales to cover our overheads; it costs to have a prime location in a Brisbane metro area, professional staff, insurances, marketing and communications, administration and general expenses running a gallery and retail space.