Renette Biljabu
Born in 1984
Manyjilyjarra language group, Purungu skin group
Punmu Community
Martumili Artists
Rennette was born in Jigalong. She grew up in Parnngurr where she first discovered painting. After moving to Punmu Community in 2004, closer to her father’s country of Kunawarritji (Well 33), she began working for Martumili Artists, assisting senior painters and learning more intensively about art. Painting, she says, makes her feel at home in her country today. She also learned to weave baskets from senior women at Kunawarritji.
Basket
2008, by Renette Biljabu
plant fibre and yarn with bead trim
10x22x20 cm
Martumili Artists
National Museum of Australia
I was away when they started making baskets. I came home to Jigalong and watched my sister in law. I asked her, “Can I have a go?” and she taught me. It was really nice. I used to watch Yikartu Bunba and Kumpaya [Girgaba]; they really love making baskets. Nalda Searles came to Parnngurr and we coiled baskets all night and all day. All night and all day – no sleep in Parnngurr!
Yuwali Janice Nixon, 2008
We gather the minari [a type of grass] from our own Country and we like lovely coloured wool.
Nola Taylor, 2008
