Kuruyultu Dress - Eunice Napanangka Jack

By Ikuntji Artists
$320.00
Description

This 1960s inspired shift dress is an easy to wear, comfortable every day dress. Featuring design by artist Eunice Napanangka Jack

In this design, Eunice depicts her father's country at Kuruyultu, in Western Australia.
"This is my country. My grandfather speared a wallaby at Kuruyultu. That night he ate that wallaby. At the same time my mother could feel me moving inside her. That next morning I was born.
I was born at Kuruyultu, near the Rockhole there... we had to leave that place (due to food shortages). My father, my mother, my extended family, we all left together and went to Haasts Bluff. I have been back to Kuruyultu for visits but never lived there again in my country. I think about it everyday."

This flattering A-line shape finishes just above the knee and features mid length sleeves and two scoop side pockets. Constructed with 100% jersey cotton.

About the Makers:

Publisher Textiles & Papers is one of Australia’s leading print houses. Focused on producing original patterns through traditional hand-screen printing methods we create bold and colourful textiles, hand printed wallpaper, clothing and fabric.

Hand printed in our studio in Leichhardt.

Treat this handmade garment with love and it will love you back! Cold gentle 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.

Hand printed and made in Sydney.

Eunice Napanangka Jack

Eunice was born in 1940 at Lupul in the Sir Frederick Ranges. When Eunice was a little girl, and like so many other Aboriginal families at the time, shortages of food forced her family east towards the ration stations being set up in central Australia. She remembers the travels with her family very vividly and refers to it as when her mother carried her piggy back all the way from Western Australia to Haasts Bluff.

Now an important woman in the community Eunice was well known for her hunting skills, dancing and traditional law knowledge. Eunice started painting with the opening of the Ikuntji Women's Centre in August of 1992. Prior to that during the 1970s she assisted her husband Gideon Tjupurrula Jack who was painting at Papunya Tula. Eunice's paintings are interpretations of her country near Lake Mackay. She uses layers of colour to build up a vision of the bush flowers and grasses. Amongst this landscape Eunice's personal stories are told, either of the travelling of her tjukurrpa - the Bilby - or the people who once lived in the area. Her father was Tutuma Tjapangarti, one of the first men to paint for Papunya Tula. Eunice also paints his country, which includes Tjukurla, Tjila, Kurulto and Lupul. Her mother was from the Walpiri side of Lake Mackay - Winparrku - in Western Australia.

A brilliant colourist, Eunice's Hairstring, Tali (sandhill), Mungada (apple) and wildflower paintings display great talent and dedication to her profession and traditions. Her Hairstring works are made up of thousands of varied colour strokes, representing the hair being rolled on women's thighs to make bags and clothing. Her Mungada (apple) works hold myriad dusted mauve circles overlaying the ground of varicoloured-feathered brushwork. Highly collectable, Eunice is represented in leading galleries worldwide.

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. 

Delivery

Within Australia
$10 flat rate within Queensland
$15 flat rate rest of Australia
Add $5 for express shipping anywhere in Australia
Free shipping for orders over $250

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