Gatjrrk Festival, Millingimbi Island, NT

The Yolgnu people of Milingimbi Island host an annual dance and music festival off the far northern coast of Ahrnemland, Northern Territory in Australia. Millingimbi Art Centre commissioned Kassandra to work with local lawmen and weavers to create the goanna totem using local pandanus, jungle vine and bamboo.

Over 2 weeks they collected, prepared and wove together an 8m hollow form goanna filled with 300 solar lights. The shape of the Biyay was initially drawn by Old Man Wilson and then scaled up in the construction.

I consulted with them on the form and taught them bamboo construction whilst they taught me how to harvest and prepare the local materials for weaving.

Community artists, school children, families, elders and rangers all helped to create the totem animal, which was exhibited at the Art Centre film evening and community feast as well as corroboree grounds over 3 nights.