Interwoven
Artist
Phyllis Stewart
(1954)
Date2004 - 2005
Object number00042692
NameFibre mural
MediumBranches, sedge grass, matt rush, red hot poker leaves
Dimensions1800 x 1200 x 90 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis Indigenous artwork is a social history of the south coast of New South Wales and depicts the artist’s family stories. The mural uses local fibres woven into various figurative designs including fish, fishing nets, a small human figure, sea grasses and other species of flora from the region.HistoryPhyllis Stewart's father was a fisherman who made his own spears and fishing nets. As children, Phyllis and her siblings roamed the local bush collecting and feeding on different bush tucker along with shellfish from the local rocks and beaches. Her parents, friends and relatives were seasonal pickers travelling up and down the south coast of New South Wales, camping for months at a time picking peas, beans, potatoes and other vegetables depending on the season. Many of these activities are depicted in the mural which uses plant fibres from the south coast of New South Wales and employs a range of fibre-based techniques.
The second eldest of seven children, Phyllis Stewart was born at Berry on the south coast of NSW. Her father was a fisherman from La Perouse, Sydney and her mother was from Armidale in New South Wales. After marrying in the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community they later lived around the Shoalhaven and other Aboriginal communities in the area. Having always been interested in arts and crafts, Phyllis completed the Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Practices Certificate I course and later the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. In 2004 she was awarded the TAFE NSW prize for academic excellence and the Illawarra Institute Indigenous student of the year award. Majoring in the discipline of weaving, both traditional and contemporary, she also works in the medium of shellwork, drawing and painting.
Phyllis has exhibited at various regional galleries including the Wollongong City Gallery and her work was exhibited at Gallerie Figure during AborigeneParis07 in September 2007.SignificanceThis unique and important artwork represents both traditional and modern Aboriginal culture from the south coast region of New South Wales. The artist was inspired by the closeness of her family, friends and Koori community.
