Kathy Maringka

Image description: The design for this rug is from an original painting. The style of art is known as ‘walka’. The abstract images, enclosed within a border, are typical of this style which is unique to the Aboriginal women artists of the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands, in remote north west South Australia. Walka also refers to body painting used in traditional Inma, dance ceremonies. The form and palette of the desert landscape have a great impact on the artists’ use of colour and image construction. The imagery is influenced by the ancient Aboriginal culture and the land from which it draws its origins. Specific titles are seldom given to the ‘walka’ artwork. The artistic process is instinctive and imaginative. Project: These beautiful, unique rugs are a cross-cultural collaboration combining Aboriginal designs and traditional Kashmiri rug-making techniques. Chain stitched, using hand dyed wool and finished with a heavy cotton backing, each rug is a completely handmade piece. This project, although in its early stages, is already bringing noticeable benefit to the artists and the community. Purchase of these rugs guarantees a direct return to the Aboriginal artists, as the project is an initiative of Kaltjiti, their own art organisation. Artist: Kathy Maringka is from Fregon, on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands, 350km south east of ULURU. Her medium is acrylic on canvas with subjects relating to traditional foods and ‘walka’ – abstract images, a style unique to the region. Fabric is her primary medium, working with the technique of batik.