This was driven by artists’ desire to explore new mediums and further develop creative skills. The result has been a vibrant and innovative body of work that beautifully blends traditional storytelling with contemporary techniques. Here's a look at how this exciting journey unfolded, the successes we've achieved along the way and what is next!
The Beginning
Our journey with textiles began with our first community workshop in 2022, funded by Fremantle Art Centre. This workshop provided artists the opportunity to experiment with different dyeing techniques and fabrics. We discovered a deep connection to painting on silk and found that the materials involved were sustainable for our art centre. Through this new medium, artists continued to paint Country, tell ancient stories and learn new techniques - preserving and sharing cultural heritage in a new and beautiful way.
"We are a new generation. We do different stories and trying to make [art] different ways. Canvas, we have done for many years and now we want to do different ways, new skills, wiruyna (beautiful) new skills." - Winsome Newberry, Artist
Expanding Our Skills and Building Sustainability
After these successful workshops and strong industry response, artists wanted to further develop skills in hand-painted silks. We successfully secured funding from the Department of Local Government, Sports and Culture (DLGSC) to run a three-week workshop in community. Focused on hand-painted silks, these workshops were a huge success, with over 20 artists participating and producing more than 30 pieces of exquisite silk artwork.
Following this Jade Butler, a Tjukurla artist and arts worker, traveled to Alice Springs for training in silk steaming, the final setting process for the silks. This training, funded by Desart and supported by Batchelor Institute, works towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of our work with this medium.
"This is the story, what we are doing in Tjukurla, us mob, in the Western Desert, learning.. napartji napartji (two ways) We're learning and we're teaching." - Sally Butler, Artist
Celebrating Achievements
Tjarlili & Kaltukatjara silk works began to gain momentum throughout the art industry. In 2023, we proudly exhibited our pieces at Desert Mob, Faith Butler’s silk work was selected for the Salon Des Refuses exhibition in Darwin, and Sally Butler’s piece was chosen as a finalist in the Kalgoorlie Boulder Art Prize.
In 2024, our silk works were exhibited at Laundry Gallery in Darwin, where artists traveled for the exhibition. The exhibition received strong media and industry interest, with articles published by The Design Files and Vogue. We were thrilled to be nominated for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards - Textile Design Award 2024, a testament to the creativity and dedication of Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara artists.
Looking Forward
The desire of Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara artists to continue to develop in textiles was reinforced throughout this whole process. This interest in this medium and the success of our exhibitions have inspired us to pursue further workshops and work towards developing our own fashion collection. We are excited about the future and hope you will see our textiles and designs on a catwalk soon.
Join us on this incredible journey as we continue to innovate and celebrate our rich cultural heritage through the art of textiles!
