Shop online

Charlotte Bag – Goanna Dreaming

$110.00 inc. GST

Charlotte bags are beautifully made with firm construction. They hold their shape and can stand on their base. They are versatile, big enough to carry everything you need yet slim and with two external zip pockets to make it it easy to find your phone, keys and cards. A great everyday bag or for special occasions.

The feature fabric is designed by Warlpiri artist Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer and produced under license through Warlukurlangu Artists, an Aboriginal owned art centre in Yuendumu, NT.

Free shipping for orders over $150

In stock

Description

Feature fabric is printed on cotton canvas.

H: 23 cm (9 inches)
L: 28 cm (11 inches)

Features

  • Fully lined
  • Zip closure
  • Adjustable strap that’s also detachable
  • Can be worn on the shoulder or cross body
  • Two front, external zipper pockets
  • Two internal pockets
  • Quality notions

Each Charlotte Bag is handmade with love and care by the staff of Women for Women Foundation, so please note that every bag is unique, and the placement of the fabric design may be different on each item.

Fabric Story: Wardapi Jukurrpa (Goanna or sand monitor) by Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer

“This painting depicts a ‘Wardapi Jukurrpa’ (sand monitor/goanna [Varanus gouldii] ancestral creation story). This dramatic Jukurrpa travels between Purturlu (Mount Theo), approximately 150kms north-northwest of Yuendumu, and Yarripilangu (Newhaven), which is approximately 100kms southwest of Yuendumu. This painting focuses on the portion of the Jukurrpa that takes place at Yarripilangu, which is owned by Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women and Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men. The portion of the Jukurrpa at Purturlu belongs to Napanangka/Napangardi women and Japanangka/Japangardi men.

This Jukurrpa tells the story of a Japangardi man named Wamaru who lived at Jarrardajarrayi, an area of country near Purturlu. This Japangardi man lived at Jarrardajarrayi near a soakage called Juntangkalpa. He travelled south to Yarripilangu and approached a group of ‘karnta’ (women) that were sitting down in a circle there. He wanted to woo a Nungarrayi woman named Yurlkurinyi who was the wrong skin for him. By tribal law, this woman was his mother-inlaw and their relationship would be taboo.

The Japangardi man wooed the Nungarrayi woman and they went up the hill at Yarripilangu where they made love. The earth there turned to ‘ngunjungunju’ (white ochre) and the man turned himself and all the ‘karnta’ (women) into ‘wardapi’ (goannas). The Japangardi man eventually brought the Nungarrayi woman back to Purturlu to live, even though they were the wrong skin for each other.

Ruth is a member of Warlukurlangu Artists, a remote community art centre owned by the artists.

Back Story of this beautiful bag made by Flying Fox Fabrics

Songlines is the exclusive stockist of Flying Fox Fabrics products.

Flying Fox Fabrics is a social enterprise based in Darwin. Flying Fox Fabrics specialises in ethically value-adding to fabric which is designed by First Nations people by making accessories, clothing, and homewares. Flying Fox Fabrics products are made in partnership with fair trade organisations in Cambodia that train and employ disables artisans. Their work is highly skilled and showcases the First Nations fabrics with great respect.

Our Charlotte bags are made by Women for Women Foundation in Cambodia. Women for Women prides itself in providing opportunities and skills that empower Cambodian women and girls to be leaders in their community. Each Charlotte Bag is handmade with love and care by the women of Women for Women, so please note that every bag is unique, and the placement of the fabric design is different on each item.