PAULA SAVAGE - Moa Island | 'Migi Bag #426' | Woven rafia + jute

PAULA SAVAGE is from the Dabugal clan of Moa Island and the Kaurareg clan of Muralag (Prince of Wales Island). An artist at the Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Art Centre - Moa Arts, Paula works across weaving, printmaking, and jewellery to share contemporary expressions of Torres Strait Islander culture and ancestral stories. Her practice has developed into the making of unique woven bags that bring together land and water relationships through color, techniques, and materials.

Paula Savage is a master weaver and utilises a myriad of locally sourced and commercial materials to create her pieces. These include raffia, cotton, jute, seagrass chord and ghostnet, seeds and shells washed up on the beach close to Kubin Village on Moa Island.

Paula uses the traditional ‘one twist’ method. She creates a range of items, including baskets and bags with handles. Her style is instantly recognisable. Weavings are adorned with thin or thick plaited straps, long tassels and sometimes materials she collects from the beach and island.

Paula’s woven pieces use dyes that are commercial and colour-fast.

"Migi" is the Creole word for small.

PAULA SAVAGE - Moa Island | 'Migi Bag #731' | 2024 | Woven rafia + jute | 12 x 8 cm