Mary Napangardi Brown – Body Painting – Kilim (L)

Composition: Hand dyed wool and cotton
Size: 122 x 183 cm (48 x 72 inches)

NB: the fold marks/creases are from the kilim being folded, they can be ironed out, see below.

Features:

• Hand embroidered/chain-stitched
• All natural fibres – embroidered wool on cotton canvas
• Fair Trade certified
• Limited edition – individually numbered
• Certificate of Authenticity supplied with each kilim
• Royalties paid to the artist/family on every sale
• Hard wearing
• Back has non-slip surface
• Each kilim has flap on the rear for ease of hanging with dowel/rod
• Matching cushion covers are also available

Chain-stitched kilims are a traditional rug making technique from Kashmir. As people sat on the floor they were both homewares and decoration. As many artworks are painted on the ground or 3D surfaces/bodies most of the images do not have a set orientation so can also be hung portrait or landscape if preferred.

The design:

This painting depicts linear pattern ‘body paint design’. The Aboriginal women paint their breasts and shoulders for ceremonies, which include song and dance used to tell their ancient stories. The concentric circles symbolise ceremonies or meeting place.

About the artist:
Mary Brown Napandardi’s was born in 1953. Her artworks often reinterpret scenes from women’s ceremonies including body painting designs, song lines and dance cycles. She also depicts dreaming stories passed down through generations. She harnesses traditional iconography and symbols to depict flora, fauna and significant landmarks including expansive sand hills and rockholes.
Napangardi was born around 1953 within a bush camp at Mandarine in Central Australia. Growing up, she lived a very traditional lifestyle; learning and caring for the land as well as learning important cultural knowledge and the dreaming stories of her country. During her childhood, Napangardi and her family were relocated by a white man to an Aboriginal settlement called the Yuendumu Community in Central Australia.
Napangardi began painting in the early 1990s. In 2005, she began painting for Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation in Yuendumu. These sacred stories translated within her work have been passed through her family for generations.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Do not put place/use in direct sunlight or colors may fade. Dry cleaning recommended. Can be ironed gently on the front of the rug using a steam wool setting or a steamer.

About the Better World Arts 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.