Ernabella

In 1948 a Mrs M Bennett visited Ernabella to work with the Aboriginal women to help them develop their own methods of spinning so that they could generate employment for themselves. Initially working with two small groups of women elders the skills of spinning hair were transferred to wool which was used for weaving into rugs and blankets using the extraordinary designs specific to Ernabella. These designs which rapidly gained recognition started when a group of bush children just starting at the school were asked to draw which evolved into sought after craft items, painted onto hessian.

Two painted hessian lengths have been placed with Gecko Gallery for sale by the original owner who, with her husband were based at Ernabella in the 1940s while constructing the early buildings. Getting to know the people intimately, they purchased a number of art works as mementos. The two artists, Patjiparan and Yipati became well know for their fine design work. Patjiparan is represented in public and private collections. Icons of their time, these pieces are rare examples of the original craft work produced at Ernabella during the 1940s.