welcome
Mardbalk Arts & Craft Centre is located on South Goulburn Island, in West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Mardbalk supports artists from the communities of Warruwi (Goulburn Island) and Minjilang (Croker Island) who are proud Salt Water people. Mardbalk is the local word for the island.
Both Warruwi and Minjilang are located in the Arafura Sea, off the coast of the Coburg Peninsular and are serviced by the West Arnhem Shire Council which is the major employer on the islands.
The islands have stunning natural features and the abundance of wildlife means that locals go hunting regularly, eating many of the traditional foods that were enjoyed by their ancestors. Favourite foods are saltwater fish, dugong, turtle, oysters, crayfish, mud crab and stingrays.
The community is made up of three main clans: the Mawng, Walang; and the Kunwinjku. There is also a presence of the Galpu Clan from nearby Elcho Island. This cultural mix makes for facinating and individual artworks.
The traditional practices of stripping bark and using natural ochres, oxides and charcoals are still used regularly, along with new contemporary abstract styles by one of Mardbalk Arts' leading artists, Richard Dhaymutha.
Pandanus Weaving still remains the heart and sole of the centre, with uniquely beautiful weavings carefully designed by the ladies. Their current collections consist of handbags, purses, pandanus jewellery, bottles, baskets, wall hangings and floor mats with their works now being exhibited and sold around Australia.
Local men carve stunning replicas of saltwater animals from mangrove timber and coconut palms collected around the islands, while women create exquisite shell and seed jewellery.
did you know?
* Mardbalk Arts & Craft Centre is about to celebrate it's 1st birthday after reopening its doors on the 21st March 2009.
* Visit Mardbalk Arts & Craft Centre Facebook group to view more of the current art works collection.
* Mardbalk Arts will be participating in the 2010 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 12-14th August.
