Description
Composition: Hand dyed wool and cotton
Size: 122 x 183 cm (48 x 72 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.
About the artist: Nellie Nakamarra Marks
About the design: Sandhills
This piece depicts the network of Tali (Sandhills) that run along vast areas of Nellie’s home country in the western desert, as well as the rockhole that can be found here – this is called Kalimpinpa. These Sandhills are set in parallel rows depending on the direction of the winds that have formed them. The valleys between these dunes can be either very productive and support a wider range of edible plants, medicines and wild life. Other areas can be remarkably barren, depending on the amount of water that has built up here and the quality of the soil. Knowledge of these vast areas of sandy country is an integral part of day to day living in this rugged environment. Being rather high, it is often impossible to see what kind of country lies beyond each hill. The elders of these areas have travelled through this country often enough that they very aware of which places can offer sources of food, water, medicine and shelter – and this knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. Nellie was commissioned by the FabAlice Festival in Alice Springs to paint a rainbow artwork for their launch party, which was held at Yubu Napa Art Gallery in September 2018. We showed Nellie the Pride Flag and asked her if she could create a beautiful painting using the colours of the flag. Being a creative woman, Nellie used the colours to tell her Tali Story in this vibrant palette of colour. This design was a lot of fun for Nellie to take inspiration from and she has continued to experiment with these colours.
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 and their community.
Warlukurlangu Artists was founded in 1985 in Yuendumu, 300 km north-west of Alice Springs in the Tanami Desert. It is home to Warlpiri people. The founder of Flying Fox Fabrics was the first manager of Warlukurlangu Artists from 1986-88 and has a deep love for Warlpiri people and their communities – and their art (of course).
