Robin Kankapankatja

Image description: This image is taken from an original acrylic on canvas painting of Mr. Kankapankatja’s country. Robin Kankapankantja started painting recently – July 2004. His theme is always his traditional country, Walakara. He paints about the story of his country. An expert tracker, this intimate knowledge of the animal tracks and landmarks such as creeks and hills as he knows them. Mr Kankapankatja is a senior traditional owner of the APY Lands, and also works with various government agencies with regard to land and country conservation. 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: Robin, a traditional Aboriginal elder, was born at Walakara. This is located in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands of the remote north-west region of South Australia.