Regina Wilson

Regina Wilson is a master weaver and colourist, who transfers her in-depth knowledge of colour, design and layering to set out the dimensions of a painting. From the tradition of her mother's mother's work, Wilson paints an extensive variety of stitching and weaving designs. Wilson's work is highly sophisticated, displaying the ability of a mature artist even though the medium is new.

Born in 1948, Regina belongs to the Nganikurungurr language group, and lives in the Community of Peppimenarti in the Northern Territory.

Established in the 1970s, Peppimenarti means 'Big rock' and is a small community situated on Tom Turner Creek. Around 20kms away runs the Moyle River.

Peppimenarti lies amid wetlands and floodplains, but also encompasses high country ridges and waterholes. The landscape is rich - a source of food and materials sustaining life, culture and inspiration. The main language groups are Nganikurunggur and Ngangiwumurri.

This painting represents the stitch and weave of the Syaw or fish net.

The weaving method is the same as the stitch used in weaving the warrgarri (dilly bag), except bigger.

The pinbin vine (bush vine) grows near the river and is stripped into fibres which are then woven into the net.

The Syaw is used to catch fish, prawn and other edible living creatures in the creeks and rivers.

Source: Karen Brown Gallery, 2003