VENETTA DENHAM | 'Gundala' | Brown woven earrings

Venetta Denham is a Girramay woman living in the Murray Upper region, north-west of Cardwell with her three children.
Ventta joined the Art Centre in 2022, where she began weaving the traditional Gundala; A practice picked up by watching her grandmother Daisy Denham, who was a traditional weaver and basket maker during her time. At the age of 26, Venetta delved deeper into the art of weaving by turning to her Aunt, Eileen Tep. However, It was her, Elders, Aunt Nancy Beeron and Theresa Beeron that sparked her interest in weaving particularly, the traditional basket, “Gundala”.

As an emerging artist, Venetta’s artworks shows signs of promise. She also practices as a painter and ceramicist, portraying stories from her traditional country, and illustrated in tribal designs and motifs.

Established in 2008, the Girringun Art Centre is home to multi-award winning artists and craftsmen.

Located in Cardwell, Queensland, Girringun represents artists from nine Traditional Owner Groups: the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhan, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulngay, Jirrbal and Djiru people.

The traditional country of these groups covers some 25,000 square kilometres of country in the state’s far-North. Objects from this country are significantly different from those of much of the rest of Australia. Weaving is done by both men and women, and the diversity of resources between land and sea have resulted in a vast array of implements being crafted for use.

A living functioning art centre, it is not unusual to see artists in the workshop developing new work and honing their craft. The stories and environments of this ancient culture are being transformed daily into visual images and designs by weavers, painters, potters, textile artists, and makers of traditional objects.

These artists bring to life the unique cultural story and expression of the distinctive Aboriginal rainforest art traditions and culture of the Girringun region, to share with the world.

VENETTA DENHAM | 'Gundala' | Brown woven earrings