Carlene Thompson

Carlene Thompson is from Ernabella Community. She is part of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers and has learnt her skills through the NPY Women’s Councils program.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers was started by Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council in 1995 to support local women living in remote Central Australia an opportunity to learn a new skill and a source of income. Today more than 400 women participate in the program which includes 28 remote communities.

The Tjanpi Desert Weavers are known for their baskets, animal figurines and also participating in an exhibition where a group of women created a Toyota Troop Carrier.

Carlene incorporates feathers and fibre to create beautiful works of art. Aboriginal women had traditionally used fibres for medicinal, ceremonial and daily living purposes so when they were given an opportunity to create works of art, most had a natural ability and picked up the skill quite quickly.

In 2010 Central Art showcased one of Carlene’s wonderful baskets in an exhibition in Tasmania titled “Tradition to Modernity” in conjunction with the Tasmanian Craft Fair 2010, in which special artworks were selected to showcase the unique contemporary style of Aboriginal art which can be found in Central Australia. Using traditional iconography or craftsmanship and then bringing it into the modern era, it was a special glimpse into contemporary Aboriginal art.