This collection brings together works by senior and emerging artists, reflecting the intergenerational sharing of knowledge across NPY communities from kami (grandmothers), ngunytju (mothers), untal(pa) (daughters), kangkuru (sisters) and kuntili (aunties).

For NPY women, weaving is deeply connected to time spent together out bush - collecting tjanpi (native desert grasses), hunting, visiting Country and sharing stories and skills. These works celebrate not only individual expression, but the strength of working together, learning from one another, and keeping connections strong.

About the artist:

Sylvanna Kenny is an Aranda artist who lives in the remote community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in South Australia.

Sylvanna spent her school years in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) but has called Pukatja home for many years. A multi-talented artist, Sylvanna learned to weave Tjanpi as a young woman from her mother and other senior women in Pipalyatjara, including Mrs Atira Atira and Mrs Kenta whom she said was a wonderful and encouraging teacher, also teaching her punu skills. Today, she’s passing on those skills to her own daughter and other young women in Pukatja. Sylvanna is known for her strong, beautifully constructed baskets, and is also skilled in beaded jewellery and punu (wood carving).

“I make my own at home,” she says. “The ladies are really good teachers.”

Sylvanna speaks fluent Arrernte, Loritja, Pitjantjatjara as well as English and is an incredibly busy and hardworking woman in community, working across various fields and local organisations, including within the Tjungu team at NPY Women’s Council, and with Tjanpi during community projects.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Tjanpi meaning ‘wild grass’) is an award-winning, Indigenous governed and directed social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC). Tjanpi empowers over 400 women across a 350 000 square km area of the tri-state region of NT, SA and WA to earn an income and remain in their communities on Country.