Ikuntji Artists is an Aboriginal-run and -owned art centre in Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory. Winner of the Indigenous Business Awards - Australian Small Business Champion Awards in 2018, Ikuntji Artists was founded in 1992 as a women's centre. It has since expanded and offers its services to all art centre members. The art centre offers a vibrant workshop program throughout the year: including but not limited to upskilling artists in photography, film, screen printing and various other media. The core business of the art centre is creating fine art on canvas and linen. The artists fathers and grandfathers were the founding members of the acrylic painting movement in the Western Desert in the 1970s. Ikuntji Artists was one of the first female-focussed Indigenous art centres and has thus always placed an emphasis of the role of women in the governance, development and transfer of knowledge within the art centre. The art centre has four full-time employees, 65 member artists and a number of volunteers and interns working at the art centre throughout the year. The thriving arts community in Haasts Bluff has strong ties to the University of Queensland and IES - International Education Services in Brisbane. Workshops to train artists are not only on site but also off site in collaboration with Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education in Alice Springs. You can support Ikuntji Artists by purchasing art from our Online Gallery or directly from our art centre in Haasts Bluff. We also work with a number of commercial galleries in Australia and overseas. Ikuntji Artists welcomes donations to support the ongoing work of this award winning Indigenous business. Our donation page on the website provides further information on the activities your contribution can support.
External link for Ikuntji Artists
LOT 53 HAASTS BLUFF COMM
Haasts Bluff, 0872, AU
So excited that our designs will play a part in the clothes of the actors!
YOU GOT TO LOVE THIS. IT's GOING TO BE BIG Well the news is out. Mark your calendar, September 18th this year will be the premiere of "Kangaroo" the Movie. Filmed in Central Australia and based on a locally based true story this movie is going to be massive. The buzz is this is going to be massive globally and will put Central Australia on the world stage.
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📣ANNOUNCING: AYO collaboration with Ikuntji Artists, a not-for-profit First Nations Arts Centre renowned for its bold textiles and rich storytelling. In 2025, AYO musicians will perform in garments featuring the Ikuntji Artists’ vibrant designs on stages across Australia and Europe. These patterns honour the diversity of First Nations peoples and their deep connection to Country, carrying stories that span generations—where tradition and contemporary artistry meet. Each design represents a story, many of which are women’s dreaming, pointing to the central role of strong female leadership among Ikuntji artists. Meticulously hand-screened by Publisher Textiles & Papers, and fashioned by The Social Outfit these vibrant designs will shine from the stage, matching the colour and energy of the orchestra. We were honoured to welcome two Ikuntji artists, Keturah Zimran OAM and Roseranna Larry along with Ikuntji Centre Director Dr Chrischona S., on the first day of rehearsals for our upcoming concerts in Queensland as the orchestra was presented with the garments. Keturah, who received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the visual arts in 2023, is an internationally acclaimed artist whose work is included in the Parliament House Collection. Western Arrernte, Warlpiri, and Luritja woman, Roseranna Larry, is the Chairperson of Ikuntji Artists and has exhibited work at fashion shows across Europe. Roseranna commented on how proud they are to be associated with the young musicians and that wearing the Ikuntji outfits on tour will give them reassurance: "They'll think, 'We'll be right. We're wearing designs that come from Australia'. It makes them family with us". Ketura added, "Our ancestors will follow them all the way overseas, to Europe." Through this collaboration, we celebrate the powerful intersection of music and visual art—connecting communities, amplifying voices, and honouring Australia’s cultural heritage. 🔗Read more about the collaboration and the featured artists: https://lnkd.in/gX-djgF8 #firstnationsfirst #youngpeople #music #visualart 📸Renee Brazel Photography
Ikuntji Artists partners with the Australian Youth Orchestra. Artists Keturah Zimran OAM and Roseranna Larry travelled to Brisbane to participate in the launch of the collaboration. The young musicians will be wearing our designs on their international tour.
A special moment to share how our Director Walter Jugadai accepted the #telstrabestofbusinessawards in Melbourne last week. https://lnkd.in/eKHfk9ie
Please support our artists this Christmas! And share this post with your networks! All roads are closed and we can't attend the markets Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for the first time! Head to our website to get your Christmas gifts this year and help our artists at the same time! Https://ikuntji.com.au
#telstrabestofbusinessawards 2024 winner in the category Accelerating Women! Our director Walter Jugadai and Manager Dr Chrischona S. travelled to Melbourne to pitch to the judges in two categories at the Telstra Business Awards. We shared our story of five generations of women supporting women and men, building their vision and community with a focus on culture in all that we do. Thank you to the judges for believing in our vision and being willing to listen to our history. We congratulate all the other state winners in all categories through whom we have learnt so much this week. And of course we send a huge congratulations to Djarra who took out Business of the Year! Thank you to Dr Zoë Condliffe Div Pillay Matt Coates for making this such a wonderful experience!
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🌟 Celebrating NAIDOC Week with New Artwork 🌟 In celebration of NAIDOC Week, we are thrilled to unveil our newest (digital copy) acquisition, "Wanampi Tjukurrpa - Snake Dreaming" by Surparkra Jugadai. This stunning painting tells the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) story of the two wanampi (serpents) at Pikilyi (Vaughn Springs). The serpents live in the waterhole at Vaughn Springs. The Dreaming place is situated close to the Uranium mining site. Surparkra Jugadai, born in Papunya in 1967, is a talented artist from a family deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the Western Desert painting movement. He is the son of Narputta Nangala Jugadai, a founding member of Ikuntji Artists, and Timmy Jugadai, an internationally acclaimed artist. Growing up in a family of renowned artists, Surparkra began painting seriously in 2010, drawing inspiration from his heritage and the stories passed down through generations. Join us in celebrating the vibrant culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during NAIDOC Week. We are honored to share Surparkra's incredible work with our community. Surparkra Jugandai © Wanampi Tjukurrpa - Snake Dreaming / Licensed by Copyright Agency #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC2024 #BlakLoudProud #IndigenousArt #SurparkraJugadai #WanampiTjukurrpa #SnakeDreaming #AboriginalArt #CulturalHeritage
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Ikuntji Artists recently presented their collection on the NYFW runway! 👏🏾 Eight stunning garments and accessories from the label graced the prestigious Flying Solo runway last month, offering Ikuntji a remarkable chance to showcase Indigenous fashion on a global platform. With their rich narratives, diligent craftsmanship, and innovative designs, the team at Ikuntji Artists truly shined. ✨ Designs by Pam Brown and Mitjili Napurrula Photo - Getty
Last week our director Walter Jugadai together with our Manager Chrischona Schmidt travelled to the National Export Awards in Canberra at the Australian Parliament House. We were supported by NT Government to go to Canberra. Ikuntji Artists was a finalist amongst many outstanding organisations and businesses in the Creative Industry space. It was an honour to be recognised for the work that our artists have been doing since 1992 and in fact over millennia: creating culture and sharing it!