Philomena Yeatman is a featured artist in Jabu Birriny (land + sea), an exhibition developed by State Library of Queensland (SLQ) in partnership with Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct and toured by Flying Arts Alliance from 2019 to 2021.
Philomena Yeatman is a Gunggandji and Kuku Yalanji woman, born and raised in the Yarrabah community. She began her art career in 1991 as a screen printer and jewellery maker, then later developing her skills as a weaver, producing table mats, fans and baskets. In recent years, she has also discovered her talent for painting, but her first love is working in the medium of fibre.
Renowned as an expert weaver, Philomena is passionate about maintaining the knowledge and techniques taught by her grandmother. Her practice continues the longstanding skills of weaving with pandanus and cabbage palm collected from her immediate environment.
Philomena’s work is inspired by traditional forms used for food collection and gathering from the land and sea. Her techniques include the merging of dyed fibres, which she weaves into the baskets to create distinctive and vibrant designs.
Philomena is part of a group of women in the community who are dedicated to keeping Yarrabah’s basketry traditions alive. Alongside her weaving, she spends most days at the Cultural Precinct painting and
developing work for her next exhibition.
See Philomena’s Interview with the State Library of Queensland
Flying Arts Alliance acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and seas on which we work, live and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.