Discover the Artistry
Nagawa Marabai Art
Nagawa Marabai is Kalkadoon language for ‘Strong Woman’.
Artist Hazel Munro is the only known person in Australia creating Spinifex paper pulp art using culturally traditional techniques.
The Artist's Journey
Hazel Munro
Hazel Munro is an Aboriginal artist from Mount Isa and a proud member of the Kalkadoon people. She creates unique paper pulp art products, a practice she developed through the teachings of her nan. With over 10 years of experience, Hazel’s work is grounded in cultural expression and storytelling.
Her artistic style is best described as traditional Aboriginal cultural techniques. Hazel is driven by a desire to share knowledge of the old ways with younger generations and to use her art to support her family. Her aspiration is to earn enough to establish a dedicated space for creating paper pulp art and teaching younger women in her community—empowering them with hope and a positive outlook on life.
Hazel Munro – Spinifex Paper
Aunty Hazel is a respected Kalkadoon Elder from Mount Isa, known for her unique and powerful artworks crafted from Spinifex and other wild grasses. These natural materials are transformed into striking visual pieces, coloured with the vibrant ochres found throughout Kalkadoon Country.
The process begins with the careful collection of Spinifex and native grasses from the Mount Isa region. Back at her home, Aunty Hazel prepares the materials by boiling them until they reach the right consistency. Once softened, the grass is processed into fine pulp using techniques she has developed specifically to handle the toughness of Spinifex.
The pulp is then washed and infused with natural ochres. These earth-derived pigments produce a rich palette, ranging from deep chocolate browns and tobacco reds to warm oranges, blood reds, and soft creams and yellows. With patience and care, Aunty Hazel shapes and pats the coloured pulp into form, bringing her artistic vision to life.
Depending on the weather and the thickness of the work, the pulp takes between two to four days to dry completely. Only then is the artwork ready to be shared and sold—each piece a testament to culture, tradition, and connection to Country.
