Shell necklace by Lola Greeno
Object No. 93/404/1
This highly lustrous shell necklace is important and rare. It was made by Tasmanian Indigenous artist, Lola Greeno, who in 2014 was named the 8th 'Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft' by the Australian Design Centre. Greeno works with the greatest respect for her Indigenous ancestors and traditions, always including members of her family in the process, passing knowledge on to the next generation. Greeno is a master of the craft and artistically interprets a wide range of shells from Flinders and Cape Barren Islands off North EasternTasmania. Greeno worked as Program Officer for Aboriginal Arts at Arts Tasmania for several years and has succesfully promoted cultural awareness. Greeno works with many different shells including the tiniest 'rice' shells, and found materials including casurina nuts, kangaroo vertebrae, and possum hair. Greeno says it is unlikely she could find these shells again as they are now becoming rare. Often known as 'maireener' shell necklaces - they were worn by Indigenous leader, Truganini, and are an important symbol of the survival of the Indigenous people of Tasmania. Lindie Ward 23/6/2014
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Summary
Object Statement
Necklace (mairreener), kelp shell / cotton, Lola Greeno, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, 1993
Physical Description
Necklace (mairrener), kelp shell/cotton, Lola Greeno, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, 1993 Circlet of 650 highly lustrous kelp shells of various opalescent colourings including yellow, purple and green. They are threaded onto linen or cotton thread.
DIMENSIONS
Depth
965 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
This necklace was designed and made by Lola Greeno in Launceston, Tasmania in 1993. The shells are collected from beaches at Flinders Island at low tide, when they are more accessible.They are attached to the ribbon and bubble kelp. It is a family affair with often 3 generations collecting shells together. The shells are frozen then taken home to Lola's home in Launceston. There the shells are placed in a bucket with some water and left for the flies and ants to clean them. After several months the shells are then placed in a weak acid to remove the calcification and reveal brilliant blue and green opalescent colouring. The shells are pierced in the 'bowl' of the shell with a fine metal awl on a wooden base. This gives them the characteristic and very attractive 45' angle when threaded. Depending upon the size of the shells, one or two thicknesses of beading thread now replace the traditional kangaroo sinew thread used in the past. (17/6/2014 interview with Lola Greeno by Lindie Ward)
HISTORY
Notes
The making of shell necklaces dates back long before the European settlement of Tasmania. Both men and women wore them around their necks, heads and arms. They were often seen on important individuals and leaders. Larger shells were more available in the past and now the opalescent shells are becoming increasingly hard to find, with over harvesting and pollution. This particular necklace is very special as these shells are very hard to find in 2014. Tasmanian shell necklaces have become a powerful symbol of Indigenous culture that has survived very harsh episodes.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1993
Acquisition Date
25 November 1993
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