My art practice is strongly connected to my Ngarrindjeri cultural identity. The large mat on the bottom was made 30 years ago learning from Ngarrindjeri Elder and master weaver Aunty Ellen at a community event. The other pieces were made at a weaving retreat 6 years ago with my daughters which was led by Aunty Ellen at Camp Coorong. The plant we use to weave is Cyperus gymnocaulos, spiny flat sedge. The growth of the plant on the Coorong and River Murray of South Australia has been significantly impacted by severe droughts we have experienced in the past and the man-made changes to the flow of the river since colonisation. At times it can be harder to find the spiny flat sedge that is essential to Ngarrindjeri weaving and culture.
Sonya Rankine

Language: Ngarrindjeri, Ngadjuri, Narungga & Wirangu

Community: Moonta Bay, Yorke Peninsula

Sonya Rankine is a Ngarrindjeri, Ngadjuri, Narungga & Wirangu artist who has established herself as a weaver under her business name of Lakun Mara. Lakun Mara means 'Weaving Hand' in Ngarrindjeri language. Lakun Mara is weaving + culture and is at the heart of her art that is strongly linked to cultural maintenance, survival and revival. Sonya creates custom-made unique Lakun Mara Earrings and commissioned Lakun Mara baskets and wall hangings combining the traditional Ngarrindjeri weaving technique, as well as utilising various other weaving stitches and techniques for her woven creations. Living on Narungga country in Moonta Bay on the Yorke Peninsula limits her access to traditional reeds from the Coorong and Sonya utilises local natural fibres gathered locally, creating a strong connection to land and natural resources.

The unique style and expression of Sonya’s art was recognised when Sonya was awarded the 2019 Our Mob Exhibition Don Dunstan Foundation Emerging Artist Prize, the 2021 SA NAIDOC Artist of the Year & exhibiting artist in Tarnanthi 2021 at the ArtGallery of SA.

SONYA RANKINE