Mati made this monumental spinifex basket elaborately decorated with bright coloured wools, painted feathers and gum nuts to mark the opening of the new cultural centre for Warlayirti Artists.
This elaborate woven object is by an artist who is best known as a painter of vibrant and finely detailed paintings.
It results from the efflorescence of weaving in the Western Desert from 1994-95 when Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and other Indigenous women began to make spinifex baskets, initially as their primary medium. Many of the first baskets were shallow in shape rather like the wooden coolamons or carrying dishes used traditionally.
Soon through social and ceremonial interaction, women from established art centres such as Papunya Tula and Warlayirti Artists began to make spinifex baskets also.
