{"title":"But First, Country","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"jennifer-brown-sun-mat-405-25","title":"Jennifer Brown | Sun Mat 405-25","description":"\u003cp\u003eWorks in fibre from the Maningrida region are widely recognised as some of the finest in Australia. Artists confidently push the boundaries of fibre craft and cultural expression, adapting traditional techniques and forms to produce strikingly inventive and aesthetically exquisite artworks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommonly used fibres include the leaves of pandanus (\u003cem\u003ePandanus spiralis\u003c\/em\u003e), and palms (\u003cem\u003eLivistonus\u003c\/em\u003e), \u003cem\u003emírlírl\u003c\/em\u003e (burney or jungle vine, \u003cem\u003eMalaisia scandens\u003c\/em\u003e), and the inner bark of kurrajong and stringybark eucalyptus trees. Weaving is physically hard work, now done only by women. Artists commonly use a mix of naturally dyed and undyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. They colour the pandanus using natural dyes made from the roots, leaves or flowers of plants within the weaver’s clan estate. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. Each type of mat, fibre bag, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtists weave many different kinds of mats. Conical mats were traditionally used to shield babies from mosquitoes. Long flat mats were used for blocking creeks so that fish would be diverted into fish traps. A small triangular mat made of pandanus fibre used to be worn by women during ceremonial gatherings, tied around their back and covering them at the front. Mats are also used for wrapping and rinsing food in water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtists usually use ngarakáya, \u003cem\u003epandanus spiralis\u003c\/em\u003e, to weave fragrant, decorative round or oblong mats, as well as the less common triangular and conical shapes. The radial woven patterns of the finest round mats appear to vibrate with colour, sometimes regarded as an aesthetic manifestation of deep cultural meaning, as there is a significant spiritual dimension to pandanus mats.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brunswick Street Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51149966868778,"sku":null,"price":3800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/0374\/2506\/files\/MatJenniferBrown.jpg?v=1777509171"},{"product_id":"jenny-birrkinbirrkin-malibirr-mat-604-25","title":"Jenny Birrkinbirrkin Malibirr | Mat 604-25","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This mat is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, or woven using traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditionally, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNganiyal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Brunswick Street Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51149992362282,"sku":null,"price":1600.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/0374\/2506\/files\/604-25_Jenny_Birrkinbirrkin_Malibirr.jpg?v=1771290320"},{"product_id":"besma-nulla-mat-729-25","title":"Besma Nulla | Mat 729-25","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This mat is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, or woven using traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditionally, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNganiyal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Brunswick Street Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51149997965610,"sku":null,"price":1200.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/0374\/2506\/files\/729-25BesmaNulla.jpg?v=1770954803"},{"product_id":"jenny-birrkinbirrkin-malibirr-mat-758-25","title":"Jenny Birrkinbirrkin Malibirr | Mat 758-25","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This mat is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, or woven using traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditionally, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNganiyal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Brunswick Street Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51150006485290,"sku":null,"price":1400.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/0374\/2506\/files\/758-25_Jenny_Birrkinbirrkin_Malibirr.jpg?v=1771290357"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/0374\/2506\/collections\/DDE26152-BDFE-4718-9141-810AFF976A99.jpg?v=1778883072","url":"https:\/\/brunswickstreetgallery.com.au\/collections\/but-first-country.oembed","provider":"Brunswick Street Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}