Meet the Artist: Kip & Co x Bábbarra

October 22, 2020

Janet Marawarr is an incredibly talented linocut and screen print designer from the Bábbarra Women’s Centre is based in Maningrida. Kip & Co recently travelled to the Northern Territory of Australia to work and collaborate with Janet amongst other amazing artists to create their latest range.

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The Bábbarra Women’s Centre is based in Maningrida, Arnhem Land, and is governed by women, for women, to enable future enterprises that support healthy and sustainable livelihoods. Initially started as a safe space for women, Bábbarra now designs and hand-prints textiles that are sold around the world. In 2019, five women from the centre travelled to Paris to exhibit their work – an incredible achievement that recognises the international importance of their art.

In 2018, Kip & Co received an invitation to collaborate with artists from the Bábbarra Women’s Centre. They have spent the last two years working closely with this group of artists to create a collection that respectfully showcases their contemporary art, and tells the ancestral stories of Arnhem Land counties and cultures.

Kip & Co recently travelled to the Northern Territory to spend time in the community, and listen to the women tell their stories in their own voice. They were honoured to be able to visit the incredible country around the Maningrida community and, with approval from the traditional land owners, were able to capture some beautiful shots of the collaboration on country.

The partnership between Bábbarra and Kip & Co is best practice, and one that sets a benchmark for future collaborations. Bábbarra and Kip & Co divide all profits from the collaboration equally, so 50% of profits will return to the Bábbarra Women’s Centre.

Kip & Co have been really moved by their experiences in creating the collaboration, and are so profoundly proud to be able to share the final product with you.

JANET MARAWARR / KUNKURRA

Janet is a talented linocut and screen print designer. She regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and a new method to express her djang (ancestral creator stories).

As well as her artistic work with Bábbarra Women’s Centre, she works for the Maningrida Night Patrol, a community safety service.

Janet’s ancestor spirits are Mandjurlukkun (Wild black berries), and Dadbe (King brown snake).

ARTWORK: Kunkurra, 2015

This work depicts the kunkurra, the spiralling wind associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan.

The artwork has two stories. First, it shows the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Secondly, Kunkurra relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod, on Janet’s husband’s clan estate. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son known as nakorrkko, are believed to have hunted and eaten a goanna. They left some of the goanna fat behind at the site, which turned into the rock that still stands there today.

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Kunkurra Linen Quilt Cover – King | Queen

Kunkurra Linen Pillowcase Set

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