Djerrh is the Kunwinjku term for a traditional fibre bag. These have been made in Arnhem Land since long before there were collectors for them, and they are featured in rock art throughout the region. More specifically, conical baskets usually made from pandanus are known as bulbbe, while djerrh usually refers to a looped and knotted string bag. These are usually made from the inner bark of manbudbud, the kurrajong tree, manbornde, the banyan, or the leaves of marrabbi, the sand palm. Loosely twined baskets could be used to soak the toxins from cycad nuts or cheeky yams, while tightly twined ones were used to carry things such as bush honey. String bags carried possessions and food. Both these items, in different forms, play important roles in ceremony.

Nawu djerrh nakka nayahwurd kabirrimarnbun Djerrh kabirrimarnbun nayahwurd nakimuk kaluk kukkuyeng; Djerrh korroko birrimarnbuni manmekenh bu birriwarlbuni nawu morlehmorlenj wanjh namekke djerrh birrikani Karrbarda birridahkendongi Mankinjdjek Mankongkong Mankodjbang manwern manbu manme birridahkendongi nawu djerrh. Dja nawu nabuyika nawu djerrh kabirringeybun Mardayin djerrh nawu Wongkorr nawu bininj kamangikan kore kukom nuye nakka wanjh wongkorr kangeyo nawu kunmadj mardayin karrahkendi kore djerrh. Mardayin nawu djerrh bokenh Yirridjdja dja Duwa daluk yawkyawk wurdwurd minj kabirrikilekme nakka Djerrh Mardayin Wongkorr nadjamun.

Size 15 x 24 | Medium Fibre | Catalogue # 966-23 | Year 2023

Artist  Doreen Djorlom

Doreen Djorlom is the daughter of Shirley Nganjmirra and David Kelly. She is married to deceased painter Gary Djorlom, and they sometimes collaborate on bark paintings framed in coiled pandanus. Doreen learned fibre techniques from her mother Shirley Kelly and was taught painting by her father and by her husband. She has three children – Amanda, Christine and Leonard who are all emerging artists.Doreen was shortlisted for The Alice Prize 2020 Contemporary Art.
She is known for her inventive designs and patterns, and masters a range of forms including woven dilly bags and mats as well as coiled forms. She often works in strong colours with a confident stitch.  

(Source: Injalak Arts and Hamby, Louise, ‘Twined Together’, Injalak Arts and Crafts, 2005)

further details

Size 15 x 24
Medium  Fibre
Catalogue # 966-23
Year 2023