Mutukaka Ngurra — Em Frank

MUTUKAKU NGURA //
CAR COUNTRY

Since 2019 I have work as a remote arts facilitator and technician for Tjanpi Desert Weavers. During this time I have worked closely with artists from Mimili Community in the APY Lands to develop a range of scultpural works made by free-form weaving onto salvaged car seat frames.

The works are created by pulling metal seat frames from burnt out cars and using them as weaving armitures. The weaving follows the form of the frames creating warped, undulating sculptures.

Variations of these works have been exhibited at Araluen Art Centre, the Australian Design Centre and the Indian Ocean Craft Trienniel.

Materials: Tjanpi (native grass), hand dyed raffia, salvaged metal car seat frames.

Key Artists: Ngilan Dodd, Sheena Dodd, Kathy Dodd, Pinuka Yai Yai, Julie Yangki, Amy Yilpi, Judy Martin, Pauline Wangin, Harriet Bryant, Betty Campbell, Kim Dodd, Kayla Gayla, Fiona Dodd, Bridget Baker and Collette Stewart.

Australian Design Centre
Indian Ocean Craft Triennale
Tjanpi Desert Weavers

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council that enables women living in the remote Central and Western Desert to earn an income from fibre art. Tjanpi represents over 400 Aboriginal women artists from 26 remote communities across WA, SA and the NT.

Artwork Photos by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

Install Photos by Amy Piddington courtesy of Australian Design Centre

This film follows the making process behind these frames. The footage was collected by me for Tjanpi Desert Weavers and edited by First Nations filmmaker Isaac Winzer. Video courtesy of Australian Design Centre.

Living and labouring on Kaurna Yarta

@em___frank