Desert Traditions in Ettalong Beach, New South Wales, Australia | Local business

Desert Traditions

Locality: Ettalong Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 438 772 795

Address: 3-35 Flounder Road 2257 Ettalong Beach, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.desert-traditions.com/

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24.01.2022 Please mark this in your calendars!

19.01.2022 Desert Traditions Tours grew of of this event.

19.01.2022 In the current absence of travel I thought I’d offer some glimpses of past travels. I went to Malaysia in 1983 on a New Zealand Arts Council study grant to look at cottage industry - specifically batik. And that journey is a whole other story stored on old photographs in a doe box somewhere. It was a memorable time filled with adventure and misadventure! During my stay however I stumbled on the work of this artist and paid a great deal of money at the time to procure the wo...rk. Sadly I no longer have the full name and details of the artist except for the signature S. Teng. Edric Ong you may be able to throw some light on this work. I’ve done some research and not sure whether this is or not by the famous Siew Teng or not! I love this piece of work and the way it stretched wax resist painting for me back in the 80s. I also love the full cycle that has turned since meeting John Cruthers of gallery 26 Albermarle in Newtown. My tjantings are out again ... now to unearth the wax and pans.

17.01.2022 The best of many highlights in last November’s Shades of India tour was surely our visit to the esteemed Brigitte Singh. It is such a privilege to be granted precious time with this quietly spoken, unassuming and highly talented textile designer. Brigitte is renowned for her revival of fine Mughal designs on cloth and has devoted most of her adult life to perfecting the art. A team of highly skilled block makers, printers and dyers produce yardage that meticulously interprets... her detailed drawings. Brigitte works with pigment dyes and has created a system that takes the effluent from the workshop and transforms it into crystal clear water. This is achieved through a series of gently sloping reed and canna lily beds. It’s a simple and natural solution to the complex issue of textile waste. Once the fabric is fixed it is then created into wares for the bed, bath and body. Brigittte’s French origins ensure the best possible couturier standards of style and stitch. Her showroom is a testament to her finely honed aesthetic, a treasure trove of delights and an irresistible temptation! Thank you once again Brigitte Singh for graciously offering us an insight into your work. For those of you interested in her story the book ‘Brigette Singh Printress of the Mughal Garden’ is worth acquiring. We are offering a visit to this inspiring woman on our forthcoming 2020 Shades of India tour in November. This is in depth textile and culture focussed travel that explores the sensory delights of Rajasthan. Please contact me for details. Carole Douglas [email protected] Visit www.alumnitravel.com.au/tours for itinerary, cost and booking form.

16.01.2022 I'd like to be able to take you to India to experience indigo however India comes to you instead at Ettalong!

16.01.2022 In 2017 I met a young man, 16 year old puppeteer Prakash Bhatt. Like many of Jaipur’s puppet artists Prakash would turn up at our small hotel every night and sit and wait hopefully for an audience to form. They never did. He and his ten year old brother say patiently and every evening I would sit with them, listening to their stories of life in the artists quarters. I had a small group with me who came one night, sat through the small performance and then left. I however was... deeply touched by their plight and wanted to understand. It’s a sad story and one that is repeated time and time again in the lives of traditional artists. Like the Vada in Kutch whose lacquer work gave way to plastic and metal, puppet entertainment gave way to movies and television and charged in social mores The March of technology takes no prisoners. I left Jaipur and Prakash with an invitation to visit the puppet colony - in fact it was Prakash’s family seen on the British program the name of which don’t recall but featured Miriam Margalis. Prakash has the video on his phone. He pressed puppets on me, I accepted one and in return I gave him a bag of fabrics I’d collected for his mother who makes the costumes. His father makes the puppets. Unfortunately I missed Prakash on a short visit last year but he has continued to make contact from time to time. I heard from him just last week ‘Hi’ he texted as usual ‘how are you?’ I responded accordingly with a query about his well being. The answer? ‘Coronavirus.’ One word is all it takes. I have not heard from him since. I can only pray for his safety and look forward to fulfilling a promise. Stay safe Prakash and family in these troubled times. His puppet resides in front of my tv as a poignant souvenir.

14.01.2022 Like the essence of indigo the exhibition will grow organically as artworks are created - I've just put down a new indigo vat! For groups of up to ten people an...d with three days' notice I can open the shop during the week by appointment. Demonstrations by Shibori artist and renowned aromatherapist, Ann George, will take place on Wednesdays commencing February 17th. Book your spot on the hour between 10am and 2pm - maximum of three people. Workshops and talks to be advertised as soon as we have Covid clearance. Bear with us as we also adapt to the 'new normal!'

13.01.2022 The batik painting is indeed by renowned Siew Teng son of Malaysia's most celebrated batik artist, Chuah Thean Teng. The signature on mine is authentic. See Si...ew Teng's style below. This was a great investment. The following text and images are from the Yahong Art Gallery in Penang which is where I bought the painting! CHUAH SIEW TENG Chuah Siew Teng is a brilliant artist in the batik medium and he is acknowledged to be one of Malaysia’s most celebrated artists. Born in 1944 in Penang, Malaysia, Siew Teng had won many art awards even before obtaining a formal art education at the Ravensburne College of Art and City & Guild Art School in England in 1965. Siew Teng expressed a great interest in batik art at a very early age and was exposed to this art medium by the master of batik art, his father, Chuah Thean Teng. In 1961, 1962 and 1963, Slew Teng was the winner of the "Art Prize" in the open art competition held in North Malaysia. In 1964 he won the "Certificate of Merit" at the National Art Competition with his painting entitled "Joy of Living". The following year he was awarded a prize at the Malaysia Artist Competition for his painting "Outdoor"

12.01.2022 First in a series of conversations with India. Please share,

09.01.2022 I am selling bangles made by the Mir community in Gujarat. These are beautiful glass bead items made by hand using strong materials. I have worked with this group for the past 12 years and currently they are in a dreadful crisis. Housed under plastic in 40 degree heat as summer comes on and with too many hungry mouths and bleating goats to feed the prospects are terrible during this time of Lockdown. Each bangle costs $AU15.00 or two for $25.00 including postage (Australia w...ide). I pledge that for every bangle sold I will send $7.50 directly to the organisation that is attempting to supply them with food. Please note that these bangles are already purchased from the Mir some time ago all I need to do is cover the cost of postage and money transfer. All else is for the Mir. Please trust this process. Direct aid is the only way in these challenging times.You will receive confirmation. The bangles are random sizes (most fit a small to medium size hand) and colours. All are beautiful and would make a lovely gift if not suitable for you. I will post out once per week. This is a great cause for those of you with a little spare cash. Please PM me for details.

08.01.2022 Udaipur - still waters, white marble, winding streets, honking autos, rooftop dining and tempting textiles! Oh for those hallowed rooms of Ganesh Handicraft Emporium all 16 of them overflowing with textile treasures from the rare to the old to the highly embellished to the simple to the contemporary there is something for everyone. Sri Rajmal Shah who founded the family run business is still highly spoken of today in Kutch which is well represented in the collections. The s...tore, located inside a 350 year old haveli, is also known for its intricate architecture. I never fail to find new details on each visit. For now it is out of reach and this image - a place where I have rested many times - make me doubly sure I will one day return!

08.01.2022 Please visit the exhibition I have mounted in my shop at Galleria, Ettalong Beach. The museum quality pieces represent the best of Kutch Womens embroidery. The display will be in place until the end of March.

07.01.2022 Shades of India sensory journey through Rajasthan. Glimpses of our inauguration into haute cuisine Rajasthani style with the witty wise and welcoming Durga Singh of Dera Mandawa. Do join us in November for the 2020 iteration of this remarkable journey through the land of camels, courts, costume and colour. ... Please contact me directly for details or visit www.alumnitravel.com.au for booking forms.

06.01.2022 There’s a small community in KUTCH that dwells on the outskirts of Nirona a village famous for its Rogan art made by one extended family and the Luhars who make... copper bells. However, a short walk along a dusty track leads to the Vadha community known primarily for turned lacquer work created on a foot lathe. As with so many traditional crafts, changing needs, changing technology and changes in occupations have left the Vadha without traditional livelihood. The families who once travelled with nomadic herders producing their needs along the way such as furniture and utensils now make items for the tourist market. It is not an easy way to make a living and there are serious socio economic issues at play. Take traditional livelihood away and people are left in a blank space stripped of identity and without an easy way to move forward - and that’s a discussion for another time. What takes me back to this community is the immense creativity of the women. These long suffering Vadha women and girls make dolls out of whatever scraps they can find. Over the years I have collected some wonderful examples of their work and one day I’d like to curate an exhibition of pieces. This particular piece intrigues me - the large one eyed gender neutral figure holding mother and children in its arms. When I asked Nanabhai who it was she just smiled shyly, said something about big and looked away. I don’t know where the never ending inspiration comes from however there are always dolls joined together as couples or as families and camels and elephants. Among the many pieces I have collected are an intentional three legged camel, a family sitting high on an overstuffed couch and a large elephant made from a fabric scrap with a buffalo embroidered on the surface. This is used to make the body of the camel. It is ingenious and ingenuous. There is no doubting the artistry in the way they respond to materials and create things of which dreams are made. Vadha community Village Nirona, KUTCH

06.01.2022 I went to Dhamadka in the mid 90s in search of indigo. I found much more than that ... and it is those things that I like to share with anyone who wants to know the deeper story of textiles. My next tour is in February 2021 and will begin with the opening of Resurgence at CSMVS in Mumbai. This 14 day slow journey will take you beneath the surface and into the very heart of KUTCH. PM me for details.

05.01.2022 Conversations with India. Each day I attempt to phone a friend or two in India. Sometimes I get through, sometimes not - it’s network and time dependent in these challenging days. When I do make contact it’s almost like being there. I’ll begin here... Lisa Hall ‘Carole!’ Lisa! ’ our at least once a week greeting! Lisa, bless her kind heart, has called me regularly since Mike died and I appreciate this more than she’ll ever know. Now it’s a lifeline of a different kind and w...Continue reading

05.01.2022 Come and join me in Kutch in February 2020 on a slow tour through textiles, traditions and tales!

03.01.2022 I advertised an exhibition in the latest issue of the Central Coast Guide. 'Mood Indigo' was to open this Saturday in my shop The Conscious Cloth Company at Ga...lleria, Ettalong Beach. however due to shipping delays and recent Covid 19 restrictions I have rescheduled it to commence on Saturday February 6th. The exhibition will highlight the history of Indigo and its historical, traditional and contemporary use. 'Mood Indigo' will run until the end of March. A special range of Indigo dyed clothing, jewellery and accessories has been produced to complement the exhibition. I will also be offering demonstrations by local indigo dyer Ann George and will be giving talks at venues to yet be advertised. Please watch this space.

03.01.2022 Given the current state of the Corona Virus epidemic that is just beginning in Australia and erupting in India and unclear in the USA, we are postponing the Beyond Santa Fe tour in July. However the Shades of India Tour to Rajasthan will at this stage go ahead. We will know by July, when balances are due and bookings in India to be paid, what the situation is likely to be in October when the tour begins. I do not wish to put any extra strain on very thin resources in India. The tour to KUTCH ‘Resurgence Redux’ will proceed in late January 2021. In the meantime stay safe, take due precautions, don’t panic and for a time enjoy living locally and supporting each other through these rocky times.