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Susan Balbunga
#287-17

Gunga mindirr
Susan Balbunga makes beautiful mats, mindirr (twinned conical baskets) and bathi (baskets) from materials including gunga (pandanus), raki (bush string) and natural dyes. This piece is made from gunga the dyes have been collected from Milingimbi as well as Balbunga’s Homeland at Maningrida. The plant that produces purple dye colour does not grow in the eucalyptus or mangrove forests of Milingimbi or any of the other Crocodile Islands. The purple colour was most likely harvested by Balbunga whilst visiting family during ceremony. The raki (string) handles on this piece is made from the exposed roots of a specific variety of fig tree. Raki made from fig tree roots can be identified by the warm pinky brown colour and the soft texture of the fibre.