Description
Composition: Hand dyed wool and cotton
Size: 61 x 91 cm (24 x 36 inches)
Features:
- Hand embroidered/chain-stitched
- All natural fibres – embroidered wool on cotton canvas
- Fair Trade certified
- Limited edition – individually numbered
- Certificate of Authenticity supplied with each kilim
- Royalties paid to the artist/family on every sale
- Hard wearing
- Back has non-slip surface
- Each kilim has flap on the rear for ease of hanging with dowel/rod
- Matching cushion covers are also available
Chain-stitched kilims are a traditional rug/soft furnishings making technique from Kashmir. As people sat on the floor they were both homewares and decoration. As many artworks are painted on the ground or 3D surfaces/bodies most of the images do not have a set orientation so can also be hung portrait or landscape if preferred.
Artist: Nelly Patterson
Nelly is teaching her Anangu people the Tjukurpa. The Tjukurpa (prononced Choo-kur-pa) is the ancient law and lore of the desert which has been passed down from Elders to youth from the time before this time began. It is passed down by songs, stories, ceremony and dancing.
She explains: “Ceremony is important to teach the natural law that was passed on at the beginning of time when the Earth was created. Anangu people remember how to look after the Earth. All of the Elders are holding on to this law and culture. We need to pass on this knowledge to the Earth now through our youth.”
Design story: Keeping Culture Strong
This is a very important woman’s story for Nelly. Its a story about the strong women’s culture. Nelly sings the story while she is painting. Nelly is worried for her peoples culture and special ceremonial songs. Nelly tells the story like this. There are many women sitting together, young old and middle age women. All the elders begin singing together and the middle age people join in, singing and dancing. The women begin having a big ceremony. It is very important ceremony for all these women. The elders tell the middle age women not to tell the young people the sacred songs because they are not keeping them secret and safe. The orange circle symbolises a nulla nulla, a hardwood fighting stick (used by women) which also decorated and used in inma (dances).
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Do not put place/use in direct sunlight or colors may fade. To clean – dry cleaning recommended. Can be ironed on a wool steam setting.
About the Better World Arts chainstitch kilim products
These beautiful, unique textiles are a cross-cultural collaboration combining Aboriginal designs and traditional Kashmiri rug-making techniques. Chain stitched, using hand dyed wool, each is a completely handmade piece. A more empowering way to work, this brings many direct benefits to the artists’ and their community. Control and ownership of intellectual property are also maintained. Purchase of these products guarantees a direct return to the Aboriginal artist’s family and their community.
