Shirley Collins 'String Dilly Bag - Holding Spirit', 2025
Jute, twine, wool, feathers
H24.5 x W 11 cm
Handwoven contemporary string dilly bags, these vessels carry spirit, memory, and cultural connection. They hold the presence of Ancestors, the strength of women, and the quiet knowledge that has long been passed from hand to hand. More than functional objects, they represent a living culture — enduring, evolving, and deeply
connected to identity and place.
Each vessel is created using jute, twine, and wool, reflecting both contemporary practice and the spirit of Aboriginal culture while honouring Ancestors and traditional knowledge.
Traditionally, bark and fibres from sapling trees were used to create string vessels, with soft tones of orange, pink, and green derived from natural bush dyes. By combining traditional forms with contemporary materials, these works explore how cultural practices continue to live through new expressions — resilient, adaptive, and grounded in Country
