About Lakun Mara

Sonya Rankine established Lakun Mara as her business name in 2019 to promote her artwork and workshops. Lakun Mara was chosen to represent the connection to her Ngarrindjeri heritage and culture of the lower Murray, Coorong and Lakes area of South Australia. It was to honour the beginnings of her love of weaving as taught to her by Ngarrindjeri Master weaver Aunty Ellen Trevorrow. Weaving for Sonya is also culturally linked to Sonya’s Ngadjuri heritage of the Mid North of South Australia and both First Nations share the same traditional weaving technique and materials.

Sonya creates custom made unique Lakun Mara Earrings and commissioned Lakun Mara baskets and wall hangings combining the traditional Ngarrindjeri weaving technique, as well as utilising various other weaving stitches and techniques for her woven creations. Living on Narungga country in Moonta Bay on the Yorke Peninsula limits her access to traditional reeds from the Coorong and Sonya utilises local natural fibres gathered locally, creating a strong connection to land and natural resources.

Sonya also offers Lakun Mara weaving workshops teaching the traditional Ngarrindjeri & Ngadjuri weaving technique. Workshops are for all ages and can be held in your own home, workplace, school and at community events.

The unique style and expression of Sonya’s art was recognised when Sonya received the:

o 2019 Don Dunstan Foundation Emerging Artist Award

o 2021 SA NAIDOC Artist of the Year