Rug, Wall Hanging, S, Wool, Aboriginal Design, Chainstitch, Kashmir, Australia, orders Rama Sampson, Artist, APY Lands, Living Room, Lounge

NEW STOCK
These beautiful woollen embroideries work equally well as floor rugs and wall hangings. As a wall hanging they are superb statement pieces with color, warmth and texture. This particular rug has extraordinary dynamism.
This design is based on a painting depicting a site (rockhole) in the APY Lands where Wanambi (Rainbow Serpent) creation ancestor lives. Rockholes are critical water sources in the desert and were created by the ancestors to sustain Anangu.
Chain-stitched kilims are a traditional rug making technique from Kashmir. As people sat on the floor they were both homewares and decoration.
The designs are by orders Australian Aboriginal artists, they are then chain-stitched in wool onto a canvas backing each cushion cover is an interpretation of an original artwork, usually a painting.
Front of each rug is wool embroidered onto a cotton canvas and back is cotton canvas with a non-slip surface.
Each rug has a flap on one of the shorter sides for hanging portrait style, simply slide a piece of dowel or curtain rod in and hang. As the artworks are painting on the ground most of the images do not have a set orientation so can also be hung landscape if preferred.
*
These are surprisingly hard-wearing and I use them as both rugs and as and beautifully textured affordable works of art.
Limited Edition: Each rug is individually numbered and shipped with an individual document of Authenticity that gives provenance. No more than 100 rugs will ever be made in this design and size.
*
Artist: Rama Kaltu Kaltu Sampson from the APY Lands in Northern South Australia, NT. (Passed away in October 2020, his family will now receive the royalties from rug sales).
Title: Wanampi Tjukurpa (Rainbow Serpent Creation Story)
*
SIZE:
Rectangular: 60.6 cm (24 inches) x 91 cm (36 inches)
Composition: wool (front) and cotton (back)
Color: the photos are color accurate
*
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Do not put place/use in direct sunlight or colors may fade. Dry cleaning recommended. Can be vacuumed. Can be ironed on a steam/wool setting.
*
About the design: Wanampi Tjukurpa (Rainbow Serpent Creation Story at Kuntjanu)
Kuntjanu is near Pipalyatjara in the far north west corner of the APY Lands. It is here, in Kuntjanu, that the Wanampi lives. Wanampi is the big rainbow serpent who sleeps under the ground in the tjukula (rockhole). This painting depicts the rockhole where Kuntjanu, an old tjilpi (old man) serpent hides under water.
*
About the BWA chainstitch kilim products
These beautiful, unique textiles are a cross-cultural collaboration combining Aboriginal designs and traditional Kashmiri rug-making techniques. Chain stitched, using hand dyed wool, each is a completely handmade piece. A more empowering way to work, this brings many direct benefits to the artists' and their community. Control and ownership of intellectual property are also maintained. Purchase of these products guarantees a direct return to the Aboriginal artist and their community.
*
About my connection wtih Better World Arts
I met founder of BWA in 2004 whilst doing a consultancy in the APY Lands preparing marketing plans for five art centres for Ananguku Arts. I was gobsmacked by this terrific fair trade project that Kaltjiti Arts was then doing with Caroline Wilson. As a textile nut, the artisan skills and use of wool appealed to me and the rendering of Indigenous designs in rugs and cushion covers is so lovely. I later encouraged them to work with other art centres and introduced them to Warlukurlangu Artists and Injalak Arts. Flick (founder of Flying Fox Fabrics)
*
BWA
Better World Arts has been operating for over two decades. Our role models were Oxfam, Fred Hollows (the Fred Hollows Foundation) and Anita Roddick (The Body Shop).
We work with traditional artisans from remote regions in Kashmir, Peru, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal (Tibetan refugees). More recently we have started working with China, making bone china and silk ties.
We work with Australian Aboriginal artists from remote communities across Australia, from Arnhem Land to Central and the Western Desert regions, from rural locations and from cities.