Maylene Russel

Image description: This rug is taken from an original small painting, a gouache on paper. This images is part of the recent emergence of exciting semi-abstract paintings that express Tjukurrpa (creation stories) and contemporary life. This style of work is unique to the Aboriginal women artists of the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands, in remote north-west South Australia, but is also a part of the wider development of contemporary Aboriginal art country and culture, as well as exposure to the contemporary art world give these works distinctive ingredients that unite them as a community creations. 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: Maylene is an emerging artist from the Irintata Homelands, Fregon, which is located in Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands 350km south east of Uluru. Her preferred medium is acrylic on canvas. She interprets subjects in an abstract form, which often relate to Maylene’s traditional country, stories and culture.