Pankalangu Bowl (wallaby pelt)

According to Western Arrernte story-telling, Pankalangu is a territorial being that lives in the scrub and is completely camouflaged in the desert and bush. Pankalangu can only move with the rain and is made visible when the rain running over its scales is caught by the moonlight, defining its form in a glistening silhouette. 

Through consultation with Western Arrernte elder Baden Williams, and other senior custodians at Hermannsberg, Jansen was granted permission to reference this scary story. Over the course of several meetings with Williams, the descriptions of the creature grew in detail, and Jansen began to interpret the Pankalangu as a series of furniture and sculptural pieces.

As the Pankalangu originates from Central Australia, Jansen’s interpretation is also informed by some of the unique characteristics of other creatures from this region. Both the perente (Varanus giganteus) and the Central Australian locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) are major influences, as these animals possess an ochry, camouflaged exterior that masks an iridescent, hidden element – the perente hides its lilac tongue and the locust hides its beautiful translucent blue wings. 

Pankalangu Bowl, 2017
from the Broached Monsters collection
Tasmanian wallaby pelt, New Zealand leather, aluminium
5 x 30 x 30 cm
open edition