Biography

Dreaming: Dhuwa
Community: Ramingining

Julie Djinydjikara is a Yolŋu weaver from North-East Arnhem Land, born at Ring and belonging to the Dhuwa moiety. She is of Gurruwana (father’s country) and Nayalindi (mother’s country), and speaks Dhuwal. Her weaving practice is deeply grounded in family, Country, and the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge.

Julie learned to weave from her mother, esteemed fibre artist E. Malbirr (dec.), who in turn learned from her own mother. Through weaving, Julie maintains a strong connection to her matrilineal line. She continues this cycle of cultural continuity by teaching her daughters and granddaughters, taking them to the creek to gather pandanus and natural dyes, ensuring that knowledge of Country and process remains alive.

The preparation of materials is central to Julie’s practice. Gathering and preparing dyes requires extensive knowledge of the land. As she explains:

“Black one and acid to make the red one, and yellow one we’ll cook first, then we make the red one. Also, more walking to get the brown colour. We go get that colour then go home and make the dye, we dye that pandanus all the colours.” This process involves harvesting natural materials, cooking and preparing pigments, and carefully dyeing pandanus before weaving.” 

Julie weaves for multiple reasons: “I like to weave for culture, to teach the kids, and for rupiah.” Her practice sustains cultural knowledge, supports the next generation, and contributes to her family’s livelihood.

She is the partner of Peter Gambung, a senior cultural leader and painter at Bula’bula Arts. Together, they are active contributors to their community’s cultural and artistic life.