Dorcas Tinnimai Bennett

Warakurna WA

“With Tjanpi, we source our materials by going bush and collecting Tjanpi and this also involves getting bush medicines. Tjanpi involves bush trips which other work doesn’t. Sometimes we go out for tjarla (honey ants).”

Dorcas learnt weaving from family at Tjukurla community. In particular, her aunty Annie Farmer and older sister Pirrmangka Reid who are both well-known basket weavers. Dorcas says “I like to do Tjanpi work. I used to just make baskets but now I make animals as well. I use the same grass but in a different way. I like to mix up different coloured wools and raffia when I make baskets, like the different colours in the bush.” Of a dog she made in 2007, she said “This papa is Yilpangi from my mother’s country. That white tjukurpa dog sits down there.” Dorcas is currently an executive member on the boards of both Desart and Warakurna Atists. Along with being an exceptional and recognised fibre artist, Dorcas is also a respected painter having been represented by Warakurna Artists since 2006.

Exhibitions

2016 September	Desert Mob, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT
2013 August	String Theory, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney NSW
2013 March	Wild West, Merenda Gallery, Fremantle WA
2012	Revealed, Gallery Central, Central Institute of Technology, Perth WA
2010	Desert Mob, Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs NT
2007	Palyaralatju Pirrtja Puru Tjanpi Tjarra Puli Yuliyala: We are making paintings and tjanpi in Puli Yuliya, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne VIC