Bana Yirriji explore hand painted kaftans

Lynelle Flinders, a Cairns based Indigenous artist and designer, held a one-week workshop in fabric painting at Bana Yirriji Art Centre in July.

The artists have been working with Lynelle since 2016. Artists used differing techniques - some used screen prints, others flicked paint across the surface of the silk, some freehand, a few were dyed first and then painted. Each artist painted enough material for a kaftan and a silk jacket or robe. The artists love hand painting fabrics as it is different to canvas, some feel they can paint more freely with fabric.

It was decided that the garments made would depict the artworks painted for the CIAF exhibition. The artists involved were Lila Creek, Anne Nunn, Sonya Creek, and Betty Sykes. The final kaftans were showcased in this year’s CIAF Fashion Performance: Of Spirit & Story (2021).