Finke (Apatula), NT

Michelle Matasia is an artist belonging to the Yankunytjatjara language and cultural group. Michelle was born in Alice Springs, and now lives in the remote community of Apatula (Finke) in the Northern Territory.

Michelle is a prolific basket maker, making baskets out of raffia long before Tjanpi began working in her region in 2022. She learnt to weave from her mother, Agnes Matasia, and has gone on to develop her own precise and intricate style of weaving. More recently, she has expanded her fibre practice and learnt to make Tjanpi sculptures at skills and development workshops held in her home community.

Pictured is Michelle and her flat motorbike sculpture, woven as part of a community project celebrating the Finke Desert Race.