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Wayuk (waterlily)

This fabric was created using the linocut fabric printing technique, which has been refined at Bábbarra Women’s Centre since it was introduced in the early mid 1990’s

The Lino tile is carved by the artist at Bábbarra Designs. It is printed on fabric by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile is a one-off, limited edition piece.

The fabric is colour-safe and can be thrown into a washing machine. Repeated use will soften the fabric and some fading will occur over time. 

Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

‘Themes in our artwork almost exclusively come from our Country and cultural connection. Our deep relationship with the land and seas of our customary clan estates strongly defines and governs the social, cultural, spiritual and territorial aspects of our lives.’

Bábbarra Designs Artist Statement

Name: Tina Cooper


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Tina started printing at Babbarra Women's Centre in 2024. She grew up in Maningrida and lived in Darwin from 2003 - 2004. Tina is the cousin sister of renound artist Raylene Bonson. Raylene has been teaching Tina how to carve and print lino.

Tina loves manme (bush food) and bush medicine and worked at the Maningrida nursery for 10 years. She has transformed her passion for manme (bushfood) into textiles and she often prints edible bushfoods like wayuk (waterlily) and barramundi bones.


© the artist / art centre