Gloreen Campion, Kalawan (Goanna)

Artist: Gloreen Campion
Title: Kalawan (Goanna)
Year: 2024
Materials: Pandanus (Pandanus Spiralis) with Ochre Pigment and PVA Fixative
Size: 900mm x 100mm x 130mm

Gloreen Campion is a Rembarrnga artist from Malnyangarnak outstation, about a two and half hour drive from Maningrida township. She predominately resides at Ankabadbirri outstation with her husband Hedley Brain.

She is the daughter of acclaimed artist Wally Lipuwanga and is know for her 3D woven fibre art depicting yok (bandicoot), djamo (dogs) and galawan (goanna). She has previously worked at the women’s centre at Buluhkaduru Outstation

This large woven sculpture is free-standing and a unique piece by Gloreen Campion.

The Galawon (Goanna) relates to a story of Gungara (The Spiralling Wind).

Fiber art, crafted in the Kakadu/West Arnhem Region, is made from locally sourced materials, primarily kunngobarn (pandanus). Weavers use a hooked stick called a manmarli to gather fresh pandanus, which is then split, dried, and dyed using natural pigments collected during specific seasons in the region.

The dye colours, such as Manbedde (Grey/Black), Windilk (Purple/Pink), Kunggobarn (Green), Wirdilwirdil (Brown), and Mandjurndum (Yellow/Orange), are sourced from plants like Petalostigma pubescens, Haemodorum coccineum, Pandanus, Haemadorum brevicauli grass, and Coelospermum reticulatus. Weaving, a meticulous process usually considered "Women's business," involves storytelling, tea-drinking, and the transfer of the ancient tradition to younger generations.

Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent.