183974851
Status: Stock
Iltja Ntjarra MacDonnell Ranges socks
This beautiful range of Iltja Ntjarra socks features artwork by Western Aranda artists Mervyn Rubuntja and Vanessa Inkamala. Both are committed artists from Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, the 100% Aboriginal owned and directed art centre supporting landscape artists in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Iltja Ntjarra has a special focus on supporting the ‘Hermannsburg School’ style watercolour artists, who continue to paint in the tradition of their grandfather and relative, Albert Namatjira, arguably one of Australia’s most famous artists of the 20th century. Albert Namatjira taught his children to follow in his unique style, who have since passed this knowledge on to their children, which has resonated in a legacy of watercolour artists in the Central Desert region. By continuing his legacy, these artists sustain an important piece of living history.
Whilst committed to continuing the Namatjira legacy, the Iltja Ntjarra artists are also brave and adventurous and excited by the possibilities of seeing their works reimagined in different formats and for different purposes.
Mervyn Rubuntja is the driving force behind the development of the Iltja Ntjarra merchandising range. He says of the range: I like it because everyone can wear my artwork and show other people. We should do more of that, that’s what I’m thinking.
Mervyn Rubuntja is also the Chair and a senior painter at Iltja Ntjarra. He says of the artwork, titled East MacDonnell Ranges Yeperenye Dreaming, chosen for reproduction on this beautiful pair of statement socks:
Near Undoolya Hill, when you travel east of Alice Springs, you can see the hill from a distance. Long time ago old people would go there with their families.
The original painting was created in 2018 and exhibited in Melbourne.
Vanessa Inkamala is an emerging painter developing a strong and powerful artistic voice and style. Her artwork chosen for the socks depicts her custodial Country at Mt Sonder or Rutjipma and was also painted in 2018. She says of the work:
I paint Rutjipma a lot as it’s our family’s country. She’s beautiful the sleeping women. It’s a very special place for me.
