Rita Rolley

The design for this rug is from an original painting. The style of art is known as ‘walka’. The abstract images, enclosed within a boarder, are typical of this style which is unique to the aboriginal women artists of the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands in remote, north-west South Australia. The different forms of the desert landscape have a great impact on the artist’s 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, however are seldom given tot 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: Rita is from Fregon on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands 350km SE of Uluru. Her medium is canvas and acrylic with subjects relating to food and ‘walka’ abstract images.