Miṉḏirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the miṉḏirr is made from gunga, and the handles from balgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then boiled with the dyes.

Miṉḏirr were traditionally used for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods such as bäḻtji (yam). Traditionally, the baḻgurr handles were worn across the forehead while the body of the miṉdirr sat at the back, between the shoulder blades making it easily accessible when collecting ŋatha (food).

Mary Dhapalany is a proud Mandhalpuy woman and has been a practicing artist for four decades, her weaving artwork is representative of traditional craft passed down through generations of women weavers in her family.

The 70 year old artist uses natural dyes, extracted from earth pigment or plant roots to colour the pandanus leaf (gunga) used in her work.

Mary Dhapalany is the twin sister of the late David Gulpilil, world renowned actor and dancer.

MAJOR EXHIBITIONS

National Gallery of Victoria, Triennale 2020, Melbourne, Australia

Aichi Triennale 2022, Nagoya, Japan

Kathmandu Triennale, Kathmandu, Nepal

COLLECTIONS :

National Gallery of Victoria

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Artbank