Despite occurring some time ago we here at Kate Owen Gallery are still very, very impressed with this effort by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers: in 2005 20 women spent 3 weeks to create a weaved model of a Toyota. Measuring in at 4 x 2 m the work was entirely created out of raffia, grass, jute string, chicken wire and steel! The work went on to claim first prize at the prestigious Telstra Art Award (for 2005). With judges Doug Hall (Director of the Queensland Art Gallery) and visual artist Destiny Deacon remarking that “Tjanpi Grass Toyota…is a wonderfully witty, well-crafted and relevant work. In one sense it takes us to the heart of community life and its tradition of weaving from grass that belongs to the women’s country. On the other hand, this work not only recognises but also celebrates the four-wheel drive as central to desert living for Aboriginal people.”
Tjanpi Toyota, 2005, photo by Thisbe Purich ©Tjanpi Desert Weavers
While we (unfortunately!) do not stock any works by the weavers quite this large we do have a large range of works, of varying sizes. Including goannas, lizards & snakes through to an assortment of bowls and small figures! As per usual all works available in the gallery are listed on our website so feel free to check them out!
