Fibre fish sculpture

Artist Vera Cameron (1969)

Date2008

Object number00046826

NameSculpture

MediumPandanus fibre, feathers

DimensionsOverall (Measurements taken by vendor): 1820 x 540 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis large fish sculpture was made by Vera Cameron using twined pandanus leaf fibres, or 'bush string', and feathers. Like other traditional indigenous cultural material such as bark paintings and wooden sculptures, fibre sculptures are another way Indigenous artists represent their stories and cultural traditions.HistoryVera Cameron comes from South Central Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory where the marine environment is an important food source, as well as source of information and cultural knowledge. Indigenous Australians have fished for cultural and ceremonial reasons for as long as they have lived by coastal waters. Fish and other marine creatures are important to Aboriginal people in their daily life, not only as a food source for basic nutrition, but also for their strong social, economic and educational value for Aboriginal communities - they are an important component of many cultural, ceremonial and social events. Vera Cameron is a practising artist from the Maningrida region of South Central Arnhem Land. Cameron works with bush string and feathers in her sculptural works depicting the marine creatures found in the natural environment.SignificanceThis fish sculpture is an example of contemporary artworks made by Indigenous artists to document the marine life in their local environment. It also displays the high quality weaving techniques for which artists from the Maningrida region are known.