Australia, Ikuntji Artists, Printed Textiles

With a reputation for unique, bold and evocative textiles, Ikuntji Artists is a not-for-profit Aboriginal art centre based in the small community of Haasts Blu (Ikuntji). Their textile designs tell a story of intergenerational art and design, with work produced by senior and established artists to emerging next generation artists. The designs come from a long legacy of art-making, which is rooted in traditional ceremonial body painting and sand drawing. The artists whose work is featured in this collection learnt to paint from their parents, grandparents and family, and many of these artists were amongst the first to translate their work onto canvas in the 1970's. 

The artists draw their inspiration from their personal ngurra (country) and Tjukurrpa (dreaming). The designs are unique to Central Australia, particularly the sandhills, waterholes, jagged mountains and sandy plains of the West Macdonnell Ranges region.  Since 2017, Ikuntji Artists have been working with screen printing and textile design. Artists have now made a collection of designs that have been screen-printed by hand, using traditional silk screen techniques. The collection of prints sets Ikuntji Artists as the first Art Centre in the Central Desert to release its own textile collection. The fabric lengths are all printed in small batches and come on various base cloth: cotton drill, tuscany linen and linen blends such as cotton/linen and Tencel linen. Ikuntji Artists are represented in many national and international galleries and institutions. Their art is famous for bold colour choice, decisive brush strokes and a long legacy of internationally renowned artists. Ikuntji Artists work in many mediums including; Acrylic painting, prints, native seed jewellery, screen-printing and design, photography and fashion collaborations.

To follow the story of Ikuntji Artists, find them on social media here.