Aboriginal artwork from West Arnhem Land has been transformed into couture creations Stone country couture

ABORIGINAL artwork hand printed onto fabric in Gunbalanya has been turned into couture creations for Injalak Arts’ GET IT ON!

Birribang Duruk (Many Cheeky Dogs) fabric by Injalak Women’s design has been turned into a two-piece by Alex Bruggisser Picture: SUPPLIED

CHELSEA HEANEY

ABORIGINAL artwork hand printed onto fabric in Gunbalanya has been turned into couture creations for Injalak Arts’ GET IT ON!

The exhibition, which is returning for its second year, has combined high fashion with indigenous artwork — after an invitation was issued to designers from throughout Australia and internationally to make the most of Kunwinjku-designed fabric.

Collaborators have submitted formal wear, casual wear and children’s garments featuring renowned textile designs such as Selina Nadjowh’s Manme (Bush Foods), Eva Nganjmirra’s Mandem (Waterlilies) and collaborative Injalak women’s designs such as Gundjabarrk (Dillybags) and Yingarna (Creation Mother).

Djenj (Fish) fabric by Isaiah Nagurrgurrba has been created into a pleated dress by Michele Truscott

The wearable items have now been assembled as a collection and will be launched at an awards night at Aboriginal Bush Traders in Darwin this Saturday.

Virgil Narlorlman is one of Injalak Arts screen print workshop managers and secretary for the Injalak Arts Management Committee. He is on site printing and overseeing fabric production daily.

Mr Narlorlman said he was excited to be heading into Darwin for the opening on Saturday.

“I’m excited to see it, it’s good to learn more about what people will make with the fabric I’ve designed and printed,” he said.

“GET IT ON! is Gamak (Good). Our art centre is good at supporting me, and it’s nice to see people come from everywhere to see our art.”

Senior screen printer Priscilla Badari said the artists were all looking forward to seeing what clothes the designers had created.

“We are happy to see the world wearing our designs,” she said.

“The ancestors would be happy to see people wearing Injalak Arts designs too.”

It is those ancestors Ms Badari credited as the main source of inspiration for the artwork at Injalak Arts.

“The ancestors who used to tell us how to fish with Walabi (fish nets), and told us what’s inside the billabong — all the fish to eat, and how to catch them. Walabi got story,” she explained.

“Mimih dancers are corroboree dancers, we made that design so everyone can see. With their wives, they dance, with their children they dance. They are mimih spirits. Marabu is the weaving mat. They used to sit on it, sometimes they slept on it.”

“Last year there was that dress made with the Yingarna (Creation Mother) design was great.”

Gallery co-ordinator Liz Martin said the exhibition was a great example of how Aboriginal Bush Traders can act as an intermediary between people on country and those visiting Darwin.

“We have visitors who have had little exposure to our thriving top end indigenous art scene and being able to host such a unique exhibition allows us to share culture and stories in new and exciting ways and encourages engagement with a wider audience,” she said.

▼ The GET IT ON exhibition will run until Sunday August 19