This design by Kieren Karritpul depicts fish net traditionally used by the old women for collecting and catching fish and turtles from the billabongs and small creeks. The fish net is hand woven by the women from merrepen (sand palm) which is dyed in many colours from the roots, leaves and berries which the ladies collect, then hand spun into string. The fish net can take a long time to weave, making it a vital tool in supplying food and a treasured possession in generations past. 

Kieren Karritpul

Kieren Karritpul is a Ngen’gi wumirri artist from Nauiyu Nambiyu, Daly River, approximately three hours south-west of Darwin, NT. Karritpul comes from a long line of recognised artists with his mother, Patricia Marrfurra, older brother, Aaron McTaggart, and aunties all engaged in active arts practice. Working across the mediums of painting and textile design, Karritpul’s depictions of traditional weavings, fish nets and stories of country honour his ancestors and their teachings, and demonstrate the way he maintains these strong cultural connections in daily life. In 2015 Karritpul was Highly Commended, Youth at the 32nd Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. In 2014, Karritpul won the Youth Award at the prestigious 31st Telstra NATSIAA. His artwork is in the collections of National Gallery of Australia, Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory and the Museum of Cultural History, Norway. He is a rising star of Merrepen Arts.