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.

Artist: Phyllis Edwards

About the artist: Phyllis Edwards was born in Alice Springs and lived in Ernabella as a child. Her parents were both Pitjantjatjara, her mother fromErnabella and her father from Mimili. Phyllis has lived in Adelaide since she was a teenager but still travels back to the APY Lands regularly.

In Ernabella, Phyllis learned to paint batik silk and also painting on canvas. Her cousin sister, Nyukana Daisy Baker, was a talented painter and ceramicist from Ernabella and Phyllis learned many of her creative skills from being around Daisy. Phyllis has painted for several years and has worked in translating and also at Wiltja, the Pitjantjatjara hostel for teenagers studying at Woodville High School.

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About the design: Walka

Phyllis describes her painting as Walka. Walka is any meaningful mark or pattern and may be an image on a cave wall, on rock or on sand and has cultural and ritual significance. It is used on the body during inma (women’s dancing) or ceremony. This painting is a bright depiction of tjukula – rockholes. Tjukula are found all across the desert. They are depressions in the rock that collect water after the rains. They vary in size, some are quite small while others are large enough to swim in and are almost like lakes. These rockholes are of high importance to Anangu as they provide water at many times of the year where other places cannot.

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).