Valerie Ward, Untitled. 2019. 770mm x 570mm. Ink on archive paper. Warakurna Artists. (#226-19)

Valerie developed this design for the Streetwear project in 2019. The focus every year is to create print-ready designs, which use the t-shirt as a canvas to express self, Ngaanyatjarra culture and life in a remote community. This design is about a rockhole creation story. ‘The two snakes are flirting, going round and around and then they get married’.

The Ngurra Streetwear Project was initiated in 2014 in response to ar--üsts and directors request to design fashion within the community. Working with graphic designer, Jack Searls, each year we host a week-long intensive design workshop to create aesthetic elements that are new and original. Participants use paint, textas and photography to create a host of imagery from around the community, which are then workshopped to create the best images for screen printing as well as creating a design direction for the overall project.

The workshops include photography, collage and digital manipulation using design software. Participants then made the final designs print ready and worked out costing, sizes and market development.