Babbarra Designs Maningrida

In the process of tidying up my studio, I came across this lino-printed fabric that I purchased at the Australasian Quilt Convention last year:

I plan on making a dress and will go pattern shopping soon. The fabric was printed by artists from Babbarra Designs Maningrida. The online shopping section of their website appears to be under construction but there are contact details if you would like to obtain further information.

We Old Girls Work Together to Make Painting

For my summer reading, I am enjoying the new edition of McCulloch’s Contemporary Aboriginal Art: the complete guide. It’s not so much a pretty picture book (although there are plenty of photos) as an illustrated text outlining the regional and stylistic differences of Aboriginal art and the history of its modern development. For example, the Old Girls from Lockhart River caught my interest, although the work We Old Girls Work Together to Make Painting shows up much more vibrantly in the book than in the online image.

The book is a hardback but just light enough to read lying down and holding with one hand, unlike many other reference books that are so unwieldy. If you would like to learn more about Aboriginal Art, this is a great resource.

McCulloch’s Contemporary Aboriginal Art Updated 2009 Edition

After the sellout of the first print run in bookshops and galleries, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the new edition of McCulloch’s Contemporary Aboriginal Art: the complete guide. The new edition is now in stock and includes comprehensive coverage of nine regions, 80 art producing communities and 400 + glorious illustrations, along with updates for 2009.

RRP A$49.95 and shipping in Australia is free!

Visit the McCulloch’s website to order online.

Eunice and Alice

Their names may have an old-fashioned ring but their artwork is thoroughly modern. Visit the Eva Breuer gallery website to view the work of Eunice Napanangka Jack and Alice Nampitjinpa.

Textiles from Babbarra Designs

I was a very restrained shopper at the Australasian Quilt Convention but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to purchase this two metre length of lino-printed fabric created by members of Babbarra Women’s Centre from central Arnhem Land. (In case you’re wondering, I’m planning on making a dress or clothing with this piece - I love the play of light across the surface and of course green is MY colour!)

The colourful stand of Babbarra Designs was festooned with textiles featuring a combination of printing, hand painting, screen-printing and tie-dyeing to represent the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Maningrida region of central Arnhem Land. Reflecting the cultural identity of the women’s differing language groups, the pieces vary in subject matter, depicting everything from landscapes to dreaming stories, spirit beings and traditional bush foods and crafts.

The lino-tile printed fabric has up to three layers of colour and each is unique with varying tile and colour combinations. Some are then painted to further enhance the creativity of individual pieces. The group also prints a collection of fine silk-screened fabrics from original artworks.

Babbarra Designs operates out of the Babbarra Women’s Centre which began in the 1980s as a women’s refuge. In addition to educational programs and services, the centre provides women of the Maningrida region with employment and workplace training opportunities in several areas including hairdressing, retail and textiles. The major activity is the textile art business which teaches participants the required skills to produce textiles and garments.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the group’s website is operational. However, you can see some images on the AQC website and you could try to e-mail the group babbarra@bawinanga.com for further information.

Rare 19th Century Quilt

Another reason to visit the National Art Gallery of Victoria when I am in Melbourne later in the month. Coincidentally or otherwise, there is an antique medallion quilt on display at the same time as the Australasian Quilt Convention.

I’ll also be checking out the Rosalie Gascoigne retrospective and the Indigenous Collection.

More great Australian Art

I”ve mentioned before that the late John Coburn is one of my favourite Australian artists. I am most disappointed that I will not get an opportunity to see the current exhibition John Coburn Paintings, Works on Paper and Graphics 1959-2003 (click each element separately) that closes at the Eva Breuer art gallery in Sydney this Friday. However, I have taken the opportunity to download the catalogue (2.74MB PDF) for future reference and you might like to do the same.

While I was looking around the gallery’s website, I was very excited to see the work of Eunice Napanangka Jack and Alice Nampitjinpa. Have a look and tell me what you think.

Be Prepared

I’m plodding my way through my endless “to do” list before we head overseas. Packing was temporarily delayed as I allocated myself a few minutes sulking time after I discovered that my favourite, versatile fine black merino jumper (or jersey in kiwi parlance) has been munched by some moths. Argh…Going through every cupboard and drawer in the house taking photographs for insurance records took up another chunk of time as did preparing back-up pdf files for the multiple tickets and journeys that our trip seems to entail. None of which is especially blog-worthy.

Instead, I leave you with these items:

• all of the artist statement details for the thirty New Zealand quilts in the MY PLACE exhibition are now available online and give valuable insights to these wonderful works;
• earlier in the week, Erica and I enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon viewing the Papunya Painting exhibition of western desert aboriginal art at the Australian Museum in Sydney and then the Out of the Blue exhibition by members of the Australian Textile Art and Surface Design Association. Neither venue allowed photography but you can see some images of the ATASDA charm challenge on Gramarye’s blog and I encourage all readers in the Sydney area to see the wonderful Payunya paintings before the exhibition closes at the beginning of November; and
• if I wasn’t planning to attend a church dedication for my yet-to-born niece or nephew the same weekend, I would be sending off my registration for the Ozquilt Network annual conference on 30 November. They have an interesting program lined up and all textile artists are welcome. Bookings close on 15 October.

Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Tomorrow is the opening day of the Utopia exhibition at the National Museum in Canberra. Since I don’t expect to be able to view this magnificent collection of works by aboriginal artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye in person, I am very pleased to see that the National Museum website contains some images and informative commentary.

After decades of mark-making on the body and in the sand, Emily’s cultural narratives found expression in the batik medium from 1977 to 1988, followed by painting on canvas until the end of her life, eight years later. Those of you with broadband might like to view this 8.4MB video (warning - it ends a little abruptly).

Utopia: So near & yet so far

After a highly acclaimed season at the National Museum of Art in Osaka and the National Art Centre in Tokyo, the exhibition Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye is coming to the National Museum of Australia.

I was looking forward to seeing her paintings in person while I am in the capital for the Canberra Quilt Show (7-10 August) but unfortunately the exhibition doesn’t open until 22 August and appears to close before I get back from France. Sigh.