KUBERAN MUIR COLLABORATION

Heartwood has joined forces with Indigenous Artist Kuberan Muir to produce a range of limited edition textiles, grounded in the scent of Indian sandalwood.

ABOUT THE COLLABORATION

Kuberan has created works inspired by country, culture and family from both his Australian Aboriginal and Tamilian Hindu ancestry to tell the story of “a sacred tree” growing on “sacred land".

The eye pillows are filled with Indian sandalwood chips, whilst the scarf is paired with a vial of sandalwood to anoint the fabric; both designed to inspire deep relaxation with the subtle yet powerful scent.

Scarves, eye pillows and greeting cards are available to purchase for a limited time in-store and online at Heartwood exclusively.

ABOUT KUBERAN MUIR

Kuberan Muir is a member of the Tjiwarl and Manta Rirrtinya native title groups. His family are Ngalia, who are a southern branch of Mantjiltjarra people, and are also part of the Wongutha nation from the Goldfields region. An early career artist with an impressive list of credits in the arts sector to his name, Kuberan has created works inspired by country, culture and family from both his Australian Aboriginal and Tamilian Hindu ancestry.

Most recently Kuberan completed a four year stint as a board member of the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia, making the role as youngest deputy chair, over three of those years. Kuberan works on commission and is an active arts worker supporting Aboriginal artists.

ABOUT PIRIWA ENTERPRISE HUB

Piriwa, located in Balgo (Wirrimanu) is a community driven organisation that focuses on activating female entrepreneurship. Designed to provide women with the skills they need to sustain a small business, Piriwa operates as a community op shop and acts as a safe space for women of all ages to gather, share cultural knowledge and stories, build confidence and capacity and most importantly, it directly contributes to the overall mental health and well-being of women in Balgo.

The Piriwa women use profits from the op shop to take young women out on country where the women collect natural bush materials to make bush products like soaps, medicines and ointments. These products are shared with others in the community; however, they could be a source of income in the future.

Balgo is one of Australia's most remote First Nations communities. Women living in Balgo experience significant social and environmental challenges to participating in training, education and employment opportunities.

Donations for this project will go directly to supporting the women of Balgo and contribute to future developments and sustainability of the hub.

Pictured: Kathryn Njamme, Monica Njamme, Rachel Sims and Mary Njamme shot by Sarah Landro, Camera Story.

“Our idea was to produce functional textiles that could carry the scent of sandalwood, whilst visually articulating its beauty with vibrant designs inspired by our spiritual home of Kununurra, where our Indian sandalwood trees grow.”

- Alex Wilson, Director of Heartwood

"sacred land", KUBERAN MUIR, 2022

“The first artwork is an abstract birds-eye-view landscape common in Aboriginal art, which tells the story of sustainable Indian sandalwood on East Kimberley land; while the second concept explores the sandalwood plant, its relative elements and its growth, depicting the beauty of seeds, flowers, heartwood, and oil,”

- Kuberan Muir, Artist

"sacred tree", KUBERAN MUIR, 2022