Ikuntji Artists fabric deal with Vietnamese Consul

A Territory arts organisation has stitched up a deal to sell fabric to a foreign embassy. Read which one.

A remote NT art gallery has pulled-off a stunning commercial coup selling 80m of printed fabric to an overseas embassy.

Ikuntji Artists, which has gained a reputation for its spectacular designs and bright colours over more than 30 years, took an order from the Australian consulate in Vietnam to provide the fabric to make into uniforms for staff to wear on special occasions.

Staff at the Ho Chi Minh office had seen the Ikjuntji wearable art on the catwalk at Sydney Fashion Week last May, where Aboriginal artists and models were given a standing ovation.

The Ho Chi Minh City consulate team in Ikuntji Artists shirts. Darwin-raised Sarah Hooper is centre back.

The fabric was designed by Keturah Zimran, whose grandmother was a founding member of Ikuntji Artists in 1992.

Ikuntji Artists manager Chrischona Schmidt said she hoped the Vietnamese contract would “break the ceiling” and lead to further orders.

She said the arts centre’s members were the direct descendants of the fabled Papunya Tula arts movement from the 1970s. Ikuntji is about 45km from Papunya.

“The Consul approached us following Sydney Fashion Week and purchased the fabrics after a consultation process,” Ms Schmidt said.

“We’d love to see others. We have been approached by several other embassies who were scoping who they want to work with.

“This is something that is happening in a lot of embassies who want to align with a gallery.

“I think it's a nice way to promote Indigenous culture overseas and for people and staff in the consulates to feel connected to Australia.

“Our art is all screen printed by hand, it’s not digital. You’re not just buying something that’s machine done.

Keturah Zimran designed the fabric that is now in Vietnam.

“It’s interesting for the buyer but also for the people who wear it.”

Ms Schmidt said Ikuntji Artists was set up by women, for women, but also includes men.

“We’re always looking for new opportunities, but what’s lacking overseas is education about Indigenous arts.”

Unknown to Ms Schmidt and the Ikuntji artists was a NT connection in the Ho Chi Minh consulate.

Consul Sarah Hooper was a former Territorian who attended school in Darwin before embarking on a diplomatic career that has taken her around the world.

About 100 artists are involved in Ikuntji Arts, with about 15 of these regularly producing works.

Formerly known as Haasts Bluff, Ikuntji is about 250km west of Alice Springs.

Ikuntji Artists won the NT Export Awards for Small Business in 2023.