Bábbarra x Tharangini Woodblock Collaboration

Woodblock Textile Collaboration  and Exhibition between Arnhem Land and Bangalore, India

Bábbarra Women’s Centre, in collaboration with Tharangini Studio, is developing a unique woodblock textile project supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, Maitri Grants.

“The Centre for Australia-India Relations has a special role in celebrating and harnessing the talents in the community. The Centre is also committed to deepening cultural connections. The Centre’s Maitri Cultural Partnerships program brings together the creative and vibrant industries from India and Australia.” Senator Penny Wong

Bábbarra Women’s Centre has gained recognition for its role in promoting women’s artistic expertise in textiles across the Indigenous art world as well as playing a vital role in elevating indigenous textiles into the Australian fashion sector. In March 2023, Babbarra Women’s Centre toured Jarracharra [Dry Season Winds] across India with support from the Kolkata Consulate. The tour ended with a workshop at Tharangini Studio in Bangalore, supported by the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce. Here, Bábbarra artists worked with local Indian artisans to translate their Lino designs onto woodblock, exploring eco-friendly printing on Indian silks. This partnership continues to develop as they prepare for an exhibition at Bangalore International Centre in September 2024. Four artists will travel to India to co-create textiles during an extended workshop at Tharangini Studio. This collaboration fosters a unique intercultural partnership between West Arnhem Land and India, preserving ancestral stories and historic Indian textile techniques whist building profound cultural relationships.

In the indigenous language of Kuninjku, Abigail’s primary language, the word Karridjarrkdurrkmirri means all of us working together.  This word characterises our partnership. Karri means we (all of us),  Djarrk -means together and  Durrkmirri  means work (vb).

Coming Soon…

Bangalore International Centre

October 3rd 2024 – October 14th 2024