Lena Kurriniya

Basket 1997

While the Maningrida region has a long history of weaving and basketry, Kurriniya made this basket using a technique that was uncommon in the area.

In the 1910s, a missionary named Gretta Matthews taught the coiling technique to the Maung people of Warruwi (South Goulburn Island); Matthews was shown how to make coiled baskets by the Ngarrindjeri people along the Murray River in South Australia. The style spread to Maningrida following the movement of the Maung people, who shared their techniques with the Kunwinjku women and others.

This basket is an example of the diversity of fibre art production in Maningrida, achieved through the sharing of ideas and techniques.