This 1960s inspired shift dress is an easy to wear, comfortable every day dress featuring ‘Shield and Star’ design by Walter Jugadai.

“This is my secretive tradition men`s story which tells of events which happen at a place called Yarapilangu, near New Haven, North-west of Papunya. This is the dreaming of my grandfather, his traditional country is Yarripilangu. I got this story from him.”

This flattering A-line shape finishes just above the knee and features mid length sleeves and two scoop side pockets.

This dress is available in very limited quantities.

Treat this handmade garment with love and it will love you back! Cold machine wash, drip dry in shade, warm iron. Avoid the tumble dryer and dry cleaner.

Being handmade there may be some print variations, making each garment unique.

Sizing information included in the photo gallery.

Hand printed and made in Sydney.

Walter Jugadai
Walter Jugadai was born in Mpwernte (Alice Springs) in 1983. His mother, Judith Nelson, and father Nebo Jugadai were both from Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff). Walter went to school in Warumpi (Papunya) and Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff). It was at Papunya school that he first began drawing with pencil on paper. Walter grew up watching the old men painting at Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff), even before there was an art centre. He fondly remembers helping them, getting water for them, and learning from them.

Walter learnt to paint from members of the Namatjira family. Albert Namatjira’s watercolour paintings continue to inspire Walter today. Amongst those who taught Walter to paint were Kevin Morris and Skipper Raggett. After finishing school in Warumpi (Papunya), Walter went to college at Yirarra in Mpwernte (Alice Springs). He then returned to Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) where he worked in the old station house.

Walter first started painting on canvas in 2004 at Ikuntji Artists. Over the years, Walter has proven to be a dynamic artist, ranging from vivid landscape scenes to painting the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) passed down to him from his family. He also sometimes paints the Star and Shield Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) that was passed down to him from his grandfather. Maisie, Walter’s older sister also paints at Ikuntji Artists and his older brother, Martin, is a gifted carver.

Walter has travelled extensively with the art centre around Australia and overseas to Korea, Germany, and Switzerland. He’s represented the art centre at art fairs and markets and has been a director of Ikuntji Artists and Desart Inc.
In 2022, Walter created his first fabric-by-the-metre designs based on his grandfather’s Star and Shield Tjukurrpa.

Ikuntji Artists

Ikuntji Artists is a member-based, not for profit, Aboriginal art centre. It is situated in the community of Haasts Bluff (Ikuntji), and has a board of seven Indigenous directors all of whom live and work locally. Haasts Bluff has a population of around 150 people. 

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New Zealand – Flat rate $30
Oceania & South East Asia – Flat rate $35
Rest of the World – Flat rate $45