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Wanydjalpi (Yam sculpture) 2004

Accession No.
2005.061
Date Created
2004
Gallery location
Not on public display
Department
Indigenous Australian Art
Dimensions A
101 x 489 x 36.7cm (installed); string length: 1282.8cm with 72 yams ranging from 28.5 to 48.3cm (h) x 2 to 3cm (diam.)
Media Category
Fibre
Medium
Bark fibre string, paperbark
Place Created
Ramingining, NT
Credit Line
Purchased 2005. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant

In this striking woven sculpture, Elizabeth Djuttara uses raki (hand-spun bark fibre string), a botanical resource vital for making sacred objects, body adornments and bags for ceremonial performances in eastern Arnhem Land. The raki is wrapped firmly around rolled wads of paperbark to create the elongated shape of a local species of yam, then strung in a composition that represents the wandering vines found above ground. Yams are an important food source found seasonally in Arnhem Land and prepared by roasting either over an open fire or in a ground oven.

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© Elizabeth Djuttara/Copyright Agency

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Stories featuring this object

A detail view of a bright, abstract work.
SEEDS AND SOVEREIGNTY

QAGOMA COLLECTION: ‘Seeds and Sovereignty’

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Exhibitions featuring this object

An installation view of ‘Seeds and Sovereignty’, including works by (l–r) Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle (© Minnie Pwerle) and Evelyn McGreen and (foreground) mats by Judy Baypungala, Bonny Burarngarra, Lorna Jin-Gubarangunyja and Shirley Malgarrich, March 2024 / © The artists/Copyright agency (unless noted) / Photograph: C Callistemon, QAGOMA

‘Seeds and Sovereignty’

Mar 2024 - Sep 2024

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