Spears, carved birds etc

Traditionally men and women made artifacts according to their respective role as hunter/gatherer.

Boomerangs, shields, spears and woomeras were made by the men for hunting. Women wove baskets using plant fibres and plant dyes and the men would weave nets for fishing.

In the Kimberley artifacts were produced in abundance, then when the demand for paintings became popular, the artists began painting, producing works in ochre on canvas.

More recently, in centre Australia, as the tourist trade increased, wood carving has become popular. Small lizards, birds, snakes, coolamuns, digging sticks and traditional items that were used in ceremonies are skilfully made.

The missionaries taught the artists how to further enhance their work by burning designs into the wood using a wire heated over a fire, this is known as poker work.

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