Wednesday, February 21, 2024
An expression of 65,000 thousand years of Indigenous Australian culture and the hope of union displayed itself on the catwalk at AIME 2024.
What marks the second day of the exhibition, 20 February, a collaboration between Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Northern Territory Business Events, showcases designs from the Indigenous art centres in the Northern Territory.
First nation people use artforms as a story telling platform, where they share knowledge, tales, and appreciation for their land.
The fashion show incorporates six collections. Including Babbarra Women’s Centre, ‘Daluk’; Injalak Arts Centre, ‘Rarrk’; Datlarwa Designs, ‘This is Larrakia Country’; Iltja Njarra Art Centre, ‘Our animals’; Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, ‘Smile’.
Emma Bamblett, an Indigenous artist, spoke of her experience and own business at AIME.
Bamblett is a co-owner of Kinya Lerrk, beside her friend and fellow artist Megan Van Den Berg. She also created the AIME 2024 brand logo.
The business name Kinya Lerrk is used to “pay homage to the women in her family”, meaning “women coming together” in Wemba Wemba language. One of the mobs she has descended from in her ancestry.
“We wear our values,” said Bamblett. “It carries a story in the artwork”. For example, the scarf she had worn represented “country, land and sand” within its pattern.
She expresses her joy when collaborating and seeing non-Indigenous businesses acknowledge the land and culture.
To witness a meaningful acknowledgement of land, Bamblett believes it is beneficial and hopeful when it comes from outsiders as “it shows support and allyship”.
The collaboration at AIME invites not only Australian’s, but all 33 countries in attendance to connect with Indigenous culture. Further prompting unity between nations.
Tags: AIME, Art, Australia, collaboration, indigenous, Tourism, Travel, Unity
Sunday, April 28, 2024
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Monday, April 29, 2024
