about aly de groot
Aly de Groot is an Australian contemporary fibre artist who has been dedicated to learning, practicing, and teaching contemporary basket-making processes for over two decades. Her work is inspired by her empathy for marine life and ecosystems, and the environmental challenges faced today. Aly is a PhD graduate from the College of Indigenous Futures Arts & Society at Charles Darwin University, where she is currently an Adjunct Research Associate. Her practice-led PhD project, titled "Underwater Basket Weaving,” explored issues surrounding sustainable basketry practices in Australia.
Aly's work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and other public spaces across Australia and internationally and her work has been recognized with numerous awards.Aly has three large-scale, woven, bronze public artworks located in idyllic coastal sites on Larrakia Country in her hometown of Garramilla-Darwin. These artworks were completed in collaboration with Larrakia Elder, Bilawarra Lee, in 2016.
In 2023, Aly was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to Europe and the UK to investigate endangered basketry practices and avenues being taken to preserve this knowledge.
Career Highlights
In 2022 Aly worked with First Nations weavers from Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts to create and curate a fashion collection of contemporary and traditional fashion. The collection launched at the 2022 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Fashion Show, Country to Couture, and went on to appear on the Melbourne Fashion Week catwalk..
An Artist in Resident at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT) in 2022, Aly explored the interconnection of diverse natural species so as to develop new work as a part of my multi-disciplinary arts practice. New works arising from this arts’ residency featured in her solo exhibition, ‘Tales of a Whale and Other Stories’, at Audit House, NT, hosted by the Northern Territory National Trust.
Manifesto
To creatively connect with communities and celebrate places, people and animals through practicing and teaching contemporary fibre arts. Working together and using our collective creativity to create a better future for ourselves and for the countless creatures with whom we share the lands and seas.