Woven sculpture and baskets by Tjanpi Desert Weavers are made from desert grass (tjanpi), wool, raffia and found objects. The artists collect the materials and make the work in their traditional homelands. The weavings reflect the culture, environment and activities of Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara women in Central Australia. Tjanpi (grass) began as a series of basket-weaving workshops held in 1995. Today women across 18 central desert communities make a spectacular array of quirky and animated sculptural forms as well as magnificent baskets from locally collected grasses.
We are going to be creating our own sculptures and basing them on the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Check out some of the sculptures they have created below.