Description
Size: 40 cm x 40 cm (16 x 16 inches)
Fabric: wool (front) and cotton (back)
Artist: Cynthia Burke
Each cover comes with a tag, information about the artist and the design. The artist is paid royalties for every cushion cover sold.
About the design: Punu (wood)
Cynthia is a highly skilled punu maker. Punu is the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara word for wood, and refers to the traditional artefacts carved from local hardwood timbers, usually mulga (Acacia species). The design is applied using hot wire to burn traditional stories and patterns into the surface of the wood. Cynthia has rendered the designs in her artwork that has been translated into embroidered tapestry.
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About the artist:
Cynthia was born in Alice Springs in 1973 and now spends her time between Warakurna and Irrunytju (Wingellina) communities in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands of Western Australia.
Cynthia is a keen artist whose creative and arts practice covers a broad range of disciplines. Cynthia was taught weaving skills by her mother, the renowned artist and Tjanpi staff member Jean Burke (dec.). In 2013 Cynthia contributed weaving and media skills to Tjilkamarta Minyma Kutjarra Munu Wati Ngirntaka Warta (Two Porcupine Wives and Perentie Man Tree) that was part of the String Theory exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney NSW. In 2012 she exhibited fibre art at the Fingers and Petals exhibition at Ellenbrook Gallery in Perth. More recently she was a finalist in the 2015 Outback Open Prize at the Broken Hill Art Gallery NSW, and exhibited at Revealed 2017 at Fremantle Arts Centre WA.
For a number of years, Cynthia has painted for Warakurna Artists and has exhibited her paintings all over Australia and overseas. Likewise, she has nationally exhibited her punu (wood carvings) with Maruku Arts.
In 2016 Cynthia began working with Tjanpi Desert Weavers at the remote office in Warakurna. She also co-produced the Tjanpi animation Ngayuku Papa with animator Jonathan Daw, telling the story of her dog Tiny as well as being a key collaborating artist in a project with FORM and Polyglot Theatre.
Cynthia also works for Ngaanyatjarra Media as a camera operator and radio announcer, presenting a weekly radio program of local music and news. CB, as the locals affectionately know her, plays a selection of country and gospel music ranging from the 1950s to 2000s. Cynthia’s gospel music program Praise is broadcast weekly in Ngaanyatjarra language from Warakurna Community.
About the BWA chainstitch (gabba) 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.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS: These cushion covers feel great and are fabulously hardwearing – we can vouch for that.
Do not put place/use in direct sunlight or colors may fade. To clean – dry cleaning recommended. It is possible with careful hand-wash in warm water using a wool detergent. Creases can be ironed out on a wool (low) steam setting.
