An extraordinary exhibition, Karri-djarrk-durrkmirri, meaning “we work together” in the Kuninjku language of West Arnhem Land, beautifully embodies the spirit of Australian and Indian maitri – collaboration and cultural exchange.
Celebrating the artistic heritage of Aboriginal Australian women, the exhibition weaves together the creative talents of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre from Arnhem Land and Bengaluru’s Tharangini Studio, renowned for its heritage woodblock printing techniques.
Australian Consul General for Karnataka and Telangana Hilary McGeachy said,
“Wonderful to see parallels between artisanal communities in our two countries.”
This cross-cultural initiative showcases 21 exquisite textiles, created through the intricate process of hand-carved woodblock printing.
The designs, drawn from sacred Aboriginal Australian stories and folklore, have been translated into vibrant prints by Indian artisans at Tharangini.
Anahita Ananth, a visual storyteller and media professional with Tharangini Studio told TNIE, “The responsibility was immense.” She emphasised the sacred nature of many of the symbols and the deep care taken to preserve their essence.
“Some designs are so sacred that only a few members of the community are permitted to draw them.”
Supported by the Australian Government’s Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR), the exhibition pays tribute to 16 First Nations Australian women artists, some of whom are no longer with us.
Initially starting with seven designs, the project has now expanded to 77, a testament to the seamless synergy between the two artisanal communities and the support of CAIR’s grant.
“The designs from Bábbarra were unlike anything we’d worked with before, but the connection to nature was familiar. Both our traditions draw deeply from our respective landscapes,” shares Ananth.
Anshu Arora, a multidisciplinary design practitioner and the exhibition’s co-curator, echoes this sentiment, adding,
“We found striking parallels in the resilience of these communities. Both the Aboriginal Australian artists and Indian artisans are guardians of traditions passed down through generations.”
Arora stresses the importance of highlighting not just the final artistic output but also the underlying belief systems and processes that give depth to each piece.
Visitors to the exhibition will also get a glimpse of this behind-the-scenes journey, led by Tharangini’s director, Padmini Govind.
“It’s been a 24-month process to adapt the designs for woodblock printing,” says Ananth.
“The women at Bábbarra traditionally use linocut prints, but linoleum degrades over time. By using seasoned teak woodblocks, we’ve created something that can last for decades.”
The exhibition delves into themes central to the lives of Aboriginal Australian women, including food, hunting, flora, and spiritual beliefs, all intricately intertwined with the landscape of Arnhem Land.
“Each textile reflects the colours and textures of Arnhem Land – from the sky and sea to the native plants,” says Arora, adding,
“The stories of mermaids, fish, and seaweed, key symbols in their cultural identity, are brought to life through the prints.”
In addition to the work with the Bábbarra Women’s Centre, three of the textiles were created in collaboration with the Porgai community, an artisanal embroidery group from Tamil Nadu, further highlighting the beauty of this cross-cultural exchange.
The exhibition also features a video installation and photographic documentation, offering visitors a chance to witness the 24-month journey of transforming sacred Aboriginal designs into timeless textile art.
Karri-djarrk-durrkmirri will be on display from October 4 to 13 at the Bangalore International Centre, with free entry starting at 11 am.
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