Lorraine Namarnyilk
Marebu (Woven Mat), 2023
ochre and acrylic on bark
24 x 74 cm
2232-23
In this painting Lorraine has made a comparison between that shape of Marebu (Kunwinjku term for woven mats) and the moon. These were traditionally valuable items . Some were used...
In this painting Lorraine has made a comparison between that shape of Marebu (Kunwinjku term for woven mats) and the moon. These were traditionally valuable items . Some were used as working surfaces, others were worn and others used during ceremonial occasions. Historically these items would have been woven from plain pandanus, but today they are usually coloured with natural dyes. It is possible that the use of natural dyes was encouraged by missionaries, influenced by what they had seen on Pacific islands. However it would have been local women, with their knowledge of local plants and bush medicines, who would have carried out the experimentation necessary for such a rich dye repertoire.