Ann Cleary-Farrall

Ann is an artist belonging to the Ngaanyatjarra language and cultutal group and lives in the remote community of Irruntyju (Wingellina), WA.

She was born in the Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia. She spent her early childhood on the Pitjantjatjara Lands and moved to Warburton in Western Australia where she received her education. She moved to Alice Springs in 1974 and has lived there since.

Ann has four older daughters and three sons and has taught all her daughters to weave and paint, their works reflect their mother's creative influence. Ann collects and dyes her own grasses that she finds locally in the Alice Springs area.

Ann has a deep knowledge of the different grasses and creek roots and their uses for weaving. She experiments with colours and is inspired by the techniques of the Yolngu women of the Northern Territory. Her works are beautiful unique and collectible pieces and signal a new direction for Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Tjanpi meaning “wild grass”) is an award-winning, indigenous governed and directed social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC), working with women in the remote Central and Western desert regions who earn an income from contemporary fibre art. Tjanpi represents over 400 Anangu/Yarnangu women artists from 26 remote communities on the NPY lands.

Group Exhibitions

2018  Jane Tangney and Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Koskela, Sydney, NSW

2016  Tales from the Desert, Port Headland Courthouse Gallery, Port Headland, WA

2016  Revealed, Fremantle Art Centre, Fremantle, WA

2014  The Colours of Country, Metropolis Gallery, Geelong, Vic

2012  Bush Animals: Sculpture from the Desert to the Sea, Nomad Art, Canberra

2011  Nganana pukultu basket wirura palyapai (We love making beautiful baskets), The Jam Factory, Adelaide

2011  Desert Mob, Aruluen Art Centre, Alice Springs

Awards

2013  Entrant, Willoughby Sculpture Prize