Rug, Wall Hanging, S, Wool, Aboriginal Design, Chainstitch, Kashmir, Australia, hotsell Fair Trade, Paddy Stewart, Warlukurlangu, Living Room, Home

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, 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: Paddy 'Cookie' Japaljarri Stewart of Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu NT
Title: Yarla manu Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Big Yam and Bush Tomato Creation Story)
Paddy Stewart was one of the founders of Warlukurlangu Artists and he painted this Jukurrpa on one of the School Doors - featured in the iconic book Yuendumu Doors. The full story in Warlpiri and hotsell English is in the book. His family now receives the royalties from sales of this design. I was the first manager of Warlukurlangu Artists from 1986 - 88 and had the great pleasure of working with Japaljarri then and in the following years. The photo was taken in 2004.
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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 but more nuanced in real life
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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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About the design: Yarla manu Wanakiji (Big Yam and Bush Tomato) Creation Story.
This painting shows the Yam and Bush Tomato Dreamings. You can see the Yams and the small round berries of the Bush Tomatoes. The place associated with this Dreaming is west of Yuendumu. In the Dreamtine the people used to eat these fruits and vegetables, just as our old people lived off them. What I have painted here is the Dreamtime Yams and Bush Tomatoes. I painted them here for the children to see.
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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 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 AJ boriginal artists from remote communities across Australia, from Arnhem Land to Central and the Western Desert regions, from rural locations and from cities.