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Yawkyawk dja Ngalyod

In 2023 Janet Marawarr and Deborah Wurrkidj journeyed to India as guests of honour to the Australian Consulate – Kolkata. They participated in a workshop with women owned studio Tharangini studio, Bangalore

The following is an extract from the press release:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/bangalore/a-cultural-exchange-programme-with-aboriginal-artists-from-maningrid-in-bengaluru/articleshow/97055614.cm

As part of the visit to India, the group visited Tharangini Studio, Bangalore’s oldest heritage textile studio. Established in 1977, Tharangini is woman-owned and specializes in organic, sustainable woodblock printed textiles. Tharangini’s skilled artisans will hand carve Babbarra artist designs into woodblocks. Babbarra’s  artisans will learn and co-create textiles using organic dyes and their vast library of vintage Indian woodblocks.

This initiative was funded by Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, Victoria. Bábbarra Designs hopes to develop a creative partnership that includes including some co-created woodblock fabrics in the upcoming Chennai and Bengaluru part of the Jarracharra -India tour. 

Categories: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Deborah Wurrkidj

Language: Kuninjku

Biography:

Deborah Wurrkidj is a highly regarded, versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining her strong clan traditions. She has been working with Bábbarra Designs since 1991, alongside her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre.

Deborah’s work is vibrant, tactile and intricate, evocative of the local natural environment as well as referencing her deep cultural knowledge. Her extensive body of textile art is illustrative of the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida in recent times and that is apparent in her work in other mediums also.

Deborah is world renowned for her bark painting, lorrkkon (hollow logs), and fibre baskets. She has exhibited widely since 2001, throughout Australia as well as in Europe and the United States. She is represented in most of Australia’s state gallery collections.

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