A new collection of frames that showcases and directly supports the work of Australian Indigenous artists has been released on a national scale.
The recently launched Jukurrpa Designs collection features work from members of Warlukurlangu Artists, one of the longest-running aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia.
Each of the eight frames that make up the collection are based off a specific piece created by one of the artists working at the centre. As well a custom case, each one comes with a cleaning cloth that features the complete piece and a card detailing both the artist behind the original work and the story behind the original piece.
Mr Murray O’Keeffe, designer of the collection, said the idea to feature the artworks of indigenous artists on frames has been in development for almost three years. “It has always been at the back of my mind because I’ve always loved the artwork, even when I was younger and back in Ireland. I used to watch a lot of Australian programs.”
O’Keeffe said the idea of the complete package was to link the design, the artist and the patient together.
“We work directly with [the artist] and use any of their artwork under a license agreement and give 10% of all sales, whether wholesale or retail, back to the community. That’s shared amongst the artists and the community to fund various projects, like a dialysis machine and a swimming pool.”
The frames feature high-quality materials such as Mazzucchelli acetate, Japanese titanium and hinges from OBE.
O’Keeffe said he plans to produce more designs in the future, including sunglasses and a children’s range, but finding suitable artworks can be tricky.
“You have to include the majority of the artwork on the temple, you can’t just take a piece of a painting and put it on a temple if it doesn’t reflect the actual artwork as a whole.”
The frames are now available for order online.
