Through the CAIR (Centre for Australia India Relations) and the Australian Government, the two artisan communities from different corners of the world have the rare opportunity to exchange, learn and create together. The artists at Babbarra Women’s Centre in the remote region of Manningrida, Australia have been creating printed textiles with their linocut designs since 1989. These cherished designs tell ancestral stories of Arnhem Land and aboriginal cultures. 

As a part of this collaboration, we started the journey of translating this art to the medium of woodblock and creating exquisite printed textiles together. We had the privilege of hosting senior artists Janet Marawarr and Deborah Wurrkidj at our studio in early 2023. Despite the language barrier and never having met before, there was an immediate connection and seamless flow of creating together with our artisans. We exchanged stories of our traditional motifs and their meaning, discovering a deep shared connection with our landscapes that is held close in our craft traditions. Our space was filled with the rhythm and connection of hands creating together, with the spirit of curiosity and collaboration. 

We are excited to continue this collaboration into 2024, with a whole new set of woodblocks and an exhibition that will travel through India and Australia. We can’t wait to share more details with you soon.