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: Rama Kaltu-Kaltu Sampson was born c. 1936 in Mt. Davis, Pipalyatjara, in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in North West South Australia. He passed away in 2020. He was an accomplished painter and traditional ngangkari – doctor and spiritual healer. Rama painted at Pukatja (Ernabella) for three years before coming to Adelaide. His strong knowledge of tjukurpa (dreaming) earned him much respect and his work has been exhibited extensively across Australia. As an Anangu elder, Rama had a great wealth of traditional knowledge and skills. Rama’s country is Kuntjanu, and he was custodian of the Wanampi Tjukurpa – the Rainbow Serpent Dreaming.
*
About the design: Mingkiri Tjukurpa (Marsupial Mouse Creation Story)
Ramas painting illustrates the Mingkiri Tjukurpa the dreaming of the marsupial mice near Kuntjanu, Rama’s country in remote north-western South Australia. The painting shows the many burrows where the mingkiri live. The mingkiri are digging with their mulya (noses) to block their holes. When Rama talks about the Wanampi Tjukurpa (Rainbow Serpent Dreaming), he says that many stories are all together – tjungu. The Mingkiri people cry when Wanampi is speared by a left handed man, but his son was in the womb of Wanampi’s wife, so the rainbow serpent still lives today at the rockhole in Kuntjanu. The kuniya (python) and liru (snake) people are also all here, in this one big story.
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.
