Keringke, meaning kangaroo Tracks, is owned and administered by the aboriginal artists of Eastern Arrernte, located 80kms south east of Alice Springs at Santa Teresa (Ityentye Apurte) Community.
What began as a short course in fabric printing for 12 women has developed into a flourishing and reputable business, specialising in hand painted silk scarves, fabric and clothing. Represented within museums and galleries in every state in Australia, the work of Keringke artists is also gaining international exposure.
Exhibitions include appearances at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a major display at the Te Taumata Art Gallery in Auckland, a sellout exhibition at Parliament house in 1994 as winners of the "National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award" and exhibition at The Rainbow Serpent Gallery, 1996 - among many other.
The graphic concepts of the artists' work incorporates traditional images and dreamings in highly contemporary arrangements.
Bold canvases, lino prints, jewellery, homewares and silk paintings vary in size from minute accessories to magnificent banners.
The colours are derived from the artists' immediate environment: rich reds, golden ochre and the combination of yellow, black and white of traditional ceremonies. There are no drafts or preliminary designs prior to the execution of those luminous works. Artists begin at one point and designs unfold purely by artistic instinct and creative vision. Senior Keringke artist, Kathleen Wallace describes the creative process as 'spontaneous'. "There's no difference between painting a chair and painting on canvas", she says. "You can tell the same stories."