Wooden Coolamonby Francie Ingkatji

Aboriginal men and women carve animals and other implements from dry wood they find or tree roots they have dug up. They often use the roots of river gum or mulga. They use the shape of the wood to make models of animals or hunting and gathering implements. Some sculptures are plain, while others have patterns and symbols relating to their Aboriginal culture. The Aboriginal artists make the sculptures beside the camp fire. They put a piece of fencing wire into the fire. When it is hot, they burn designs on the wood. This particular piece is a coolamon and is used by women to gathering and carry items such as seeds and berries.

Artist:Francie Ingkatji
Title:Wooden Coolamon
ID:FI106
Medium:Coolamons
Size:15 cm
Region:Ernabella, South Australia

Artist

Francie Ingkatji comes from Ernabella Community which is located in the far north-west of South Australia. Francie is part of the highly respected dancers “The Seven Sisters”. In 2018 the group performed at the NAIDOC week celebrations as part of the exhibit “Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters”. Francie is also an artist and craftswoman. She uses traditional craftsmanship to carve wooden animals and gathering implements. She then uses a hot poker to scorch the wood to make patterns and iconography.

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