Perfect for early childhood education settings, primary classrooms, and cultural displays, this fan can be used as a conversation starter during yarning circles, for dramatic play, or proudly displayed to show appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Product Features:

• Handcrafted by Torres Strait Islander artists.
• Approx. 34-38cm length
• Woven from sustainably harvested coconut palm.
• Lightweight, durable, and culturally significant.
• Supports inclusion of First Nations perspectives aligned with EYLF and Australian Curriculum.
• Each fan is unique, showcasing traditional Islander weaving techniques.
• Over time and during the drying process, your fan will change colour.

This piece is perfect for educators looking to create culturally safe, inclusive learning environments that reflect and respect the richness of Australia’s First Nations peoples.

 

Artist

Wasada Gutchen (Gucheng), connections to Mer Island (Murray Island) & Erub Island (Darnley Island), Torres Strait.

Traditional Torres Strait Islander weaving is a timeless practice for the cultural bearers of knowledge expanding its wisdom through time. The coconut tree is a ‘Story Tree’, with many uses that support island life as Salt Water People. The Coconut Tree is used for holistic living including ceremonial adornments, fibre innovations in everyday living, teaching and learning materials. Every woven piece has a unique journey and story, as Wasada enriches its continuity of traditional weaving, connecting her directly to her ancestral lineage of practice.