Gourd Musical Instruments

Growing and crafting gourds for the past 18 years followed the chance discovery of gourds hanging in a vege shop in an inner Melbourne suburb. These were bought, the seeds from which were subsequently planted on their farm in the hills above Waroona.... and Tony And his wife, Merle, were hooked! The discovery that gourds were man's very first utensil during the phase of "hunter, gatherer "during prehistoric times, and that they were also used to make some of the very first musical instruments and still have a significance in many ancient civilizations around the world, has led to a collection of over 27 varieties that have been successfully grown here in WA, with both Tony and Merle crafting some amazing pieces, some in traditional manner, but also to produce some unique one-off designs combining their artistic backgrounds with all manner of materials and techniques.

Tony's specialty is musical instruments which combine ethnic/musical instruments "specifications" with other locally found materials (native timbers, blackboy resin etc) and his wood crafting expertise, whilst Merle, a versatile mixed media artist and textile devotee, makes gourds into beautiful containers, art works and decore pieces. Over the past decade or more, a significant number of their works have appeared in exhibitions, galleries, fairs etc, with many sold within WA and also making their way to the eastern states and overseas ( including Hawaii, UK, Germany). With the increasing multiculturism of Western Australian's population, the popularity of gourds is on the rise, and they are supplying gourds to a wider clientel including craftspersons, therapists, Brazilian Capoeira devotees, musicians, nurseries, florists, schools etc. Seeds and dried gourds are available. All gourds used in the following gallery were home grown.