Celebrating the dynamism of the Indigenous Australian art textile movement, the exhibition presents a wide range of creations by contemporary artists working with textile as a medium in two very different regions of Australia: Maningrida in Arnhem Land on the far north coast and Haasts Bluff in the Red Centre desert.

Inspired by their culture, their land and their life, the artists have created specific designs for their art textiles that are then hand-printed onto the fabric. Beautifully encapsulating the artists cultural heritage and artistic creativity, the textiles are true testimony to the incredible dynamism and talent of these two artistic communities.

The exhibition includes hand-printed art fabrics, other media explored by the artists such as weavings, fibre art, sculptures and paintings, and a selection of textile accessories from the limited-edition collections developed in collaboration with the communities.

All artworks and objects are available for sale, contribute to support the ethical and sustainable Indigenous Australian art sector.

Organised by IDAIA in collaboration with the participating artists and the Aboriginal-owned art centres they are part of: Babbarra Women’s Centre, Maningrida Arts & Culture, and Ikuntji Artists; and the Showroom Galerie 7 curatorial team: Christine Athenor, founder and director of international textile festival FITE (Festival International des Textiles Extra ordinaires), and Thomas Leveugle, curator at international textile festival FITE.

Images:

Art textile ‘Yawk Yawk (Mermaid – Young Woman / Jeune Femme Sirène)’ by Sonia Namarnyilk – Courtesy of Babbarra Women’s Centre;

Art Textile ‘Women’s Business’ by Mavis Nampitjinpa Marks – Photo Lean Timms, Courtesy of Design Canberra and Ikuntji Artists;

View of artworks and accessories from the IDAIA x Babbarra Women’s Centre collection – Photo IDAIA.