Rug, Wall Hanging, S, Wool, Aboriginal Design, Chainstitch, Fair Trade, Seven Sisters, Nelly Patterson, order Ayers Rock, Australia, Living Room

These beautiful woollen embroideries work equally well as floor rugs and wall hangings.
Chain-stitched kilims are a traditional rug making technique from Kashmir. As people sat on the floor they were both homewares and decoration.
The designs are by Australian Aboriginal artists (see info below), they are then chain-stitched in wool onto a canvas backing each cushion cover is an interpretation of an original artwork, usually a painting.
Front of each rug is wool embroidered onto a cotton canvas and back is cotton canvas with a non-slip surface.
Each rug has a flap on one of the shorter sides for hanging portrait style, simply slide a piece of dowel or curtain rod in and hang. As the artworks are painting on the ground most of the images do not have a set orientation so can also be hung landscape if preferred.
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These are surprisingly hard-wearing and I use them as both rugs and as and beautifully textured affordable works of art.
Limited Edition: Each rug is individually numbered and shipped with an individual document of Authenticity that gives provenance. No more than 100 rugs will ever be made in this design and size.
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Artist: Nelly Patterson
Title: Kungkarangkalpa Tjurkurpa (Seven Sisters Creation Story) - see details below
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SIZE:
Rectangular: 61 cm (24 inches) x 91.5 cm (36 inches)
Composition: wool (front) and cotton (back)
Color: the color is accurate
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CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Do not put place/use in direct sunlight or colors may fade. To clean - careful hand-wash in warm water using a wool detergent. Can be ironed on a wool setting.
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Artist: Nelly Patterson
Nelly is teaching her Anangu people the Tjukurpa. The Tjukurpa (prononced Choo-kur-pa) is the ancient law and lore of the desert which has been passed down from Elders to youth from the time before this time began. It is passed down by songs, stories, ceremony and dancing.
She explains: “Ceremony is important to teach the natural law that was passed on at the beginning of time when the Earth was created. Anangu people remember how to look after the Earth. All of the Elders are holding on to this law and culture. We need to pass on this knowledge to the Earth now through our youth.”
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Design story: Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Creation Story)
Nelly has an intimate knowledge of the Seven Sisters Story–an epic Tjukurpa (creation) story in which a man, Wati Nyiru chases seven sisters across the whole of Australia.The sisters started in Whyalla. Wati Nyiru chased them down to Port Augusta and wouldn’t leave the sisters alone. He wanted to marry the big sister. The sisters left in the middle of the night to try and get away from him while he was sleeping. When Wati Nyiru woke, he wondered where the sisters had gone, but he soon was on their trail again, and found them near Canberra. The eldest sister was worried – she knew he was there again, watching the sisters while they camped. Nelly explains that Wati Nyiru was a ‘mad one,’ he knew they were scared, but he still followed them. Wati Nyiru got very close to the sisters. The eldest sister was secretly signalling to the sisters that he was nearby, so as to not let Wati Nyiru know she was aware he was there.The man, Wati Nyiru, was singing about how much he wanted the big sister. He did too much dancing, that man, and the sisters ran away. He loved all the girls.The girls kept running. This painting depicts some of the places where the sisters camped.
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About the BWA chainstitchh kilim products
These beautiful, unique textiles are a cross-cultural collaboration combining Aboriginal designs and traditional Kashmiri rug-making techniques. Chain stitched, using hand dyed wool, each is a completely handmade piece. A more empowering way to work, this brings many direct benefits to the artists' and their community. Control and ownership of intellectual property are also maintained. Purchase of these products guarantees a direct return to the Aboriginal artist and their community.
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About my connection wtih Better World Arts
I met founder of BWA in 2004 whilst doing a consultancy in the APY Lands preparing marketing plans for five art centres for Ananguku Arts. I was gobsmacked by this terrific fair trade project that Kaltjiti Arts was then doing with Caroline Wilson. As a textile nut, the artisan skills and use of wool appealed to me and the rendering of Indigenous designs in rugs and cushion covers is so lovely. I later encouraged them to work with other art centres and introduced them to Warlukurlangu Artists and Injalak Arts. Flick (founder of Flying Fox Fabrics)
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BWA
Better World Arts has been operating for over two decades. Our role models were order Oxfam, Fred Hollows (the Fred Hollows Foundation) and Anita Roddick (The Body Shop).
We work with traditional artisans from remote regions in Kashmir, Peru, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal (Tibetan refugees). More recently we have started working with China, making bone china and silk ties.
We work with Australian Aboriginal artists from remote communities across Australia, from Arnhem Land to Central and the Western Desert regions, from rural locations and from cities.