A collaboration grounded in art, community and connection
This Summer, OBUS collaborated with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned art centre based in Yuendumu and Nyirripi in the Northern Territory.
The collaboration grew from time spent at the art centre, supporting artists as they worked and learning about the role of Warlukurlangu as a creative and community hub. From this time spent together, three artists were invited to be featured across the collection.
This blog focuses on the work of Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson.
Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson is an artist from Nyirripi whose work reflects stories passed down through her family, closely connected to land, place and cultural knowledge. Her paintings use pattern and colour to create layered, rhythmic compositions that feel grounded and expressive.
For this collaboration, Vanetta’s artwork has been translated into wearable pieces designed to bring her work into an everyday context.
Below, Vanetta shares more about her practice and the story behind her artwork.
Can you tell us about this artwork what story or place does it come from?
This painting is the Warlukurlangu Dreaming. Warlukurlangu means “belonging to fire” in our Warlpiri language, and our art centre is named after the fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu. We have two art centres, one in Yuendumu and one in Nyirripi.
The story of my painting is about fire travelling across country, across the ground. Two brothers tricked their father, and in his anger the father created a fire that chased them across the country. I am painting the tracks of the fire and the travel of the two brothers as they were followed by the flames and eventually burnt.
How does painting make you feel?
I feel proud to be an artist and to share my culture. I am a mother now and I want my children to be proud of me and proud of their culture.
What do you enjoy most about painting?
I feel proud to be sharing my culture and to be an artist. My grandmother was an artist and now I am continuing her legacy.
How did it feel seeing your artwork turned into clothing?
I feel so proud to see my fabric. I can’t wait to wear my dress and t-shirts. I want to make a dress for my daughter Mandy with the fabric sample so we can both wear my designs and be twins!
What do you hope people feel when they wear this piece?
I feel proud that my paintings are on these clothes. I hope people feel proud to wear my design and that it helps them learn about Warlukurlangu, Warlpiri people, and the art we are making.
Who taught you to paint or encouraged you when you started?
My grandmother was an artist. I used to come and sit with her at the art centre in Nyirripi. She was painting Malikijarra Jukurrpa (Two Dogs Dreaming). I loved her work. She gave me her Jukurrpa and inspired me to become an artist myself.
What does painting mean for your family or community?
I want my kids to learn how to paint their Jukurrpa (Dreaming). I need to pass my Jukurrpa on to my kids and future grandkids, to keep the culture in our hearts and minds.
Explore the wearable artworks created from Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson’s work as part of the OBUS × WARLU collaboration.
OBUS x WARLU: VANETTA
A collaboration grounded in art, community and connection
This Summer, OBUS collaborated with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned art centre based in Yuendumu and Nyirripi in the Northern Territory.
The collaboration grew from time spent at the art centre, supporting artists as they worked and learning about the role of Warlukurlangu as a creative and community hub. From this time spent together, three artists were invited to be featured across the collection.
This blog focuses on the work of Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson.
Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson is an artist from Nyirripi whose work reflects stories passed down through her family, closely connected to land, place and cultural knowledge. Her paintings use pattern and colour to create layered, rhythmic compositions that feel grounded and expressive.
For this collaboration, Vanetta’s artwork has been translated into wearable pieces designed to bring her work into an everyday context.
Below, Vanetta shares more about her practice and the story behind her artwork.
Can you tell us about this artwork what story or place does it come from?
This painting is the Warlukurlangu Dreaming. Warlukurlangu means “belonging to fire” in our Warlpiri language, and our art centre is named after the fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu. We have two art centres, one in Yuendumu and one in Nyirripi.
The story of my painting is about fire travelling across country, across the ground. Two brothers tricked their father, and in his anger the father created a fire that chased them across the country. I am painting the tracks of the fire and the travel of the two brothers as they were followed by the flames and eventually burnt.
How does painting make you feel?
I feel proud to be an artist and to share my culture. I am a mother now and I want my children to be proud of me and proud of their culture.
What do you enjoy most about painting?
I feel proud to be sharing my culture and to be an artist. My grandmother was an artist and now I am continuing her legacy.
How did it feel seeing your artwork turned into clothing?
I feel so proud to see my fabric. I can’t wait to wear my dress and t-shirts. I want to make a dress for my daughter Mandy with the fabric sample so we can both wear my designs and be twins!
What do you hope people feel when they wear this piece?
I feel proud that my paintings are on these clothes. I hope people feel proud to wear my design and that it helps them learn about Warlukurlangu, Warlpiri people, and the art we are making.
Who taught you to paint or encouraged you when you started?
My grandmother was an artist. I used to come and sit with her at the art centre in Nyirripi. She was painting Malikijarra Jukurrpa (Two Dogs Dreaming). I loved her work. She gave me her Jukurrpa and inspired me to become an artist myself.
What does painting mean for your family or community?
I want my kids to learn how to paint their Jukurrpa (Dreaming). I need to pass my Jukurrpa on to my kids and future grandkids, to keep the culture in our hearts and minds.
Explore the wearable artworks created from Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson’s work as part of the OBUS × WARLU collaboration.