Mavis Warrngilna Ganambarr was born in Mata Mata, Northeast Arnhem Land and now lives on Elcho Island.
One of Australia’s leading fibre artists, Warrngilna learned techniques from her grandmother as a young girl and has since spent years refining techniques and form. Warrngilna’s work ranges from traditional mats and baskets to contemporary soft sculpture and wearable art. Warrngilna has worked collaboratively over the past two decades with artists and is passionate about passing on her knowledge of plants and techniques to a new generation to keep culture strong.
In 2017, Warrngilna was selected by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority (BDA) in Sydney to participate in the design project Longlines: Weaving Community and Country; alongside some of Australia’s most renowned female Indigenous Weavers and Artists to re-imagine traditional weaving practices for a contemporary, large-scale sculptural playscape installation at the Barangaroo Headland. Urban Arts Project was engaged by the BDA to manage the delivery of the sculptural playscape installation for Barangaroo.
In 2018, Warrngilna was named a finalist for Longlines: Weaving Community and Country and has recently travelled to Sydney and Brisbane for workshops in the final design development stages of the sculptural playscape which will be installed and launched at Barangaroo Headland, Sydney in early 2019.
Selected Career Highlights
- Partnered with Koskela on an exciting new design project launched at Ventura Lambrate, Milan in April 2014
- Exhibited work in the 16th Tamworth Fibre Textile Biennial in 2004
- Exhibited in the 18th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in 2001