Bush String Bag

Bush string bags are vastly more labour intensive than pandanus fibre art. Depending on the size, literally hundreds of hours can go into making a bush string bag.

Artists collect Putput (sounds like “put” but with a “b” - Brachychiton Megaphyllus or Red Flowered Kurrajong) and then steam the logs in a fire. Bark is peeled off and the outer darker skin discarded. The softer inner fibre is mashed and separated into usable strips which has a lace-like visual look. Natural bush colour is boiled and this mashed inner fibre added to give it colouring. From here the strips are dried and then rolled – usually on a leg or thigh – and spun into string form. This alone is very time consuming as the artist needs to create the material from which she weaves. Only now with a dyed and functionally formed piece of string can the artist begin to create loops, weaving row upon row to create a string bag.

Understandably, these objects are highly regarded!

Bush string artists include:

Julie Ashley
Julie was born on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land. She was taught to weave with pandanus and to collect the natural bush dyes by her mother. Julie has created a range of contemporary fibre artefacts such as lampshades, hats, mobiles and quirky animals including fish, turtles and dragonflies. She has also designed for Djilpin's textiles range and created two limited edition screen prints. Julie has conducted weaving workshops in Canberra and Darwin, and teaches our current workshops in Beswick / Wugularr and Katherine.

Noreena Ashley
Noreena is originally from Gapuwiyak and learned the art of bush harvesting and weaving from her sister, mother and grandmother. Noreena creates vibrant fibre mats, baskets, string bags and Mukuy spirit figures, as well as designs for print and textiles. Noreena has exhibited in Melbourne and Darwin and has travelled to Timor-Leste with Djilpin. Noreena currently teaches workshops in Beswick / Wugularr and Katherine.