Cushion Cover Wool 40cm (16in)

These beautiful, unique textiles are a cross-cultural collaboration combining Aboriginal designs and traditional Kashmiri handicraft. The chain-stitched (Gabba in local Kashmiri) cushions are hand stitched by rural folk in remote villages in one specific region of Kashmir. Over generations they have honed their skills and refined their hand crafted produce. Only the most skilful artisans can faithfully reproduce the images we send to them. Aboriginal artists in remote regions in Australia, as well as others living in our cities, benefit from regular royalties paid monthly, as well as using these products to tell other people about their rich cultural heritage.

In this design Andrea Adamson tells us about the seven sisters and their travels through the country as they are pursued by Wati (Man) Nyiru.

Nyiru fell in love with the sisters, and even though they were of the wrong skin name, he was desperate to make them his. As the women fled from Wati Nyiru they created the country and landscape around Andrea’s home, Mala.

 This work is produced in remote villages by local artists. The pure wool is dyed in situ and the stitching is done by hand; chain-stitch is a traditional Kashmiri handicraft.