Artist | Tonya Grant

Jirrbal Traditional Owner

Tonya Grant is a Jirrbal woman. She is based in the Davidson Falls area, North of Cardwell.

​

Tonya is a remarkable painter and expert weaver of Jawun. Woven with lawyer cane, this traditional bi-cornual basket is unique to the rainforest people. With an almost innate ability, she has perfected her craft from an early age.

This was done so under the teachings of her Mother, Desley Henry, a well known and respected weaver. Tonya’s inspiration draws from traditional colours, patterns and design, particularly the cyclone motif associated with her naming place. 

​

Tonya and Desley Henry’s work can be found throughout a number of private and institutional collections, both Nationally and Internationally. This includes the Art Gallery of South Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, Cairns Regional Galleryand the Parliament House Art Collection (Canberra). Tonya’s designs have also been used to promote the Echo Creek Cultural Centre, where she works as a tour guide, demonstrator and tutor of cultural practices.

​

​

​