Mary Dhapalany

c. 1953

Core 94 x 88cm

In total width 140cm

Pandanus Spiralis, bush dye

Bula’bula Arts Catalogue : 614-23

Copyright remains with the artists and Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.

Mary, a proud Mandhalpuy woman, has been a practicing artist for four decades. Her weaving artwork is representative of the 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’s artwork is held in numerous major collections and has been exhibited worldwide. She is the twin sister of the late acclaimed actor and dancer, David Gulpilil, and as so, she initiated the concept of joining the woven designs.

Text courtesy Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation

In 2011, Alvaro Catalán de Ocón, a Spanish designer, initiated the PET Lamp Project. This project involved collaborating with communities worldwide to repurpose plastic waste into distinctive and practical pieces. Over a five year period, Catalán de Ocón has partnered with artisans in various countries, including Colombia, Chile, Japan, and Ethiopia. He also worked with eight Yolngu weavers from Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory as a result the National Gallery of Victoria commissioningCatalán de Ocón to create woven lamps that reflect the craft traditions and visual languages of the Australian weaving community. To accomplish this, Catalán de Ocón collaborated with Mary Dhapalany, Judith Djelirr, Lynette Birriran, Joy Gaymula, Melinda Gedjen, Cecile Mopbarrmbrr, and Evonne Munuyngu from the Bula'Bula Arts Centre in Ramingining. Together, they produced a series of circular ceiling-mounted lamps that combine PET plastic bottles with naturally dyed pandanus fibers. These lamps draw inspiration from the patterns found in traditional Yolngu mats in the most spectacular fashion.