Adults Painting and Punch-Needling Workshop
Treat yourself to a day of art-making
Join artists Desmond Taylor and Mariaan Pugh for a workshop that combines design, storytelling, and punch needle art.
Discover the ancestral story of Niminjarra Jukurrpa (Dreaming), deeply rooted in Warnman Ngurra (Country), through a screening of the captivating documentary Niminjarra Story by Curtis Taylor and experiencing the exhibition Jila Kujarra: Two Snakes Dreaming.
Under the guidance of Desmond, participants will unleash their creativity by designing their own imagery inspired by Niminjarra Jukurrpa, using canvas and paint pens.
Mariaan will teach participants punch needle techniques to bring their designs to life on fabric. The workshop also includes how to finish the artworks using stitch.
Sessions & Times
Sunday, 16 March
10:00am - 4:00pm
Includes 30min break
Extra things to know
Desmond Taylor is a Manyjilyjarra and Warnman man, who was born in 1964 near the Oakover River, moving to Jigalong soon after. Desmond’s family were among the last Martu to live entirely in the desert without access to rations or western supplies. He went to school in Nullagine and Perth and now works as a professional translator and educator, as well as maintaining an arts practice.
Desmond primarily paints his family’s Ngurra (Country) around Karlamilyi (Rudall River) and the creation narratives for that Country, especially the Niminjarra Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories, and the associated narratives of the Jila Kujarra, narratives as enduring as the continent we live upon, kept safe by Warnman people for all to share.
Mariaan Pugh was born in the United Kingdom in 1993 but has spent much of her life in Western Australia. Mariaan undertook her formal arts training, majoring in Textiles at Curtin University, as well as further training in Fashion and Textile Design at North Metropolitan TAFE.
Drawn to vivid colour, playful motifs, and seductive tactile surfaces, Mariaan’s work subverts traditional textile techniques such as rug making, embroidery and weaving, creating works that defy categorisation, sitting between textile and painting, while exploring themes of interpersonal relationships, longing and distance.
This workshop will be held in the small studio space outside Festival Gallery. Look for the signs or just ask one of the gallery staff to show you the way.
For more information about Festival Gallery, see Plan Your Festival.
This class is best suited for adults or older teens.
Additional workshops are available for children and younger teens.
All materials are supplied, just bring your imagination!
Light refreshments are included but feel free to bring something to snack on.
Jila Kujarra: Two Snakes Dreaming was commissioned by Fremantle Arts Centre and presented in partnership between Fremantle Arts Centre and Martumili Arts. This project is made possible through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost with funding managed by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and delivered by ART ON THE MOVE.
Image credit: Photo by Amelia Blanco.
Program details
