Australian Youth Orchestra
Weaving Culture into Sound: The Stories Behind Ikuntji Designs
This year, AYO musicians will take to the world stage dressed in garments featuring the vibrant, culturally rich designs of Ikuntji Artists. These striking patterns tell stories of Country and culture, celebrating the diversity of First Nations peoples and the power of female leadership within the Ikuntji community.
The Artists and Their Stories
Doreen Lane is a skilled artist and jewellery maker whose work reflects women’s hunting stories and cherished family journeys. Her design, Bush Trip, captures memories of travelling from Papunya to Ulumbauru. As a former director of Ikuntji Artists, Doreen has played a key role in shaping its vibrant legacy.
Keturah Zimran OAM, a distinguished Luritja and Pintupi artist, comes from a lineage of renowned creators, including her grandmother Narputta Nangala Jugadai. Her work, Puli Puli Rocks, captures the shifting hues of rock formations at Haasts Bluff and Karrkurrutintja, reflecting her deep pride in her heritage.
Mitjili Napurrula is renowned for her bold depictions of the women’s side of the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) story. Her design, Uwulkari – Watiya Tjuta, features acacia trees used for ceremonial spears, inspired by the motifs her mother once drew in the sand. A finalist in several prestigious art prizes, Mitjili’s work embodies the artistic traditions of the Western Desert.
Lisa Multa, raised at Kungkayunti (Brown’s Bore), expresses her connection to the land through her art. Her design, Tali at Kungkayunti, offers a bird’s-eye view of the tali tali (sandhills) that hold deep cultural significance for her family.
Eunice Napanangka Jack, born in 1940 in the Sir Frederick Ranges, carries vivid memories of her family’s journey across the desert to Haasts Bluff. Her design, Kuruyultu, depicts her father’s Dreaming, deeply rooted in her birthplace and family history. Through her art, she continues to share her knowledge of traditional law, dancing, and hunting.
Leonie Kamutu, born in 1947 at Ikunytji (Haasts Bluff), is deeply rooted in her family’s traditions. Her Papa Tjukurrpa design tells the Dog Dreaming story of her father’s country near Kintore, honouring sacred ancestral teachings.
Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon, born in 1943 near Talaapi, is a celebrated painter and cultural leader. Before dedicating herself to art, she taught young girls the dances and traditions of desert communities. Her vibrant work, Tjilkamala Rockholes features her father’s country of rockholes (puli) and sandhills (tali).
Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon also designed Trees at Talaapi, honouring her deep connection to the Western Desert. Through her artistry, Alice preserves stories of her childhood and the cultural lore passed down through generations.
From Canvas to Stage
The garments, meticulously hand-screened by Publisher Textiles and Papers, have been crafted by The Social Outfit, a fashion label with a mission. As AYO musicians perform across Australia and Europe, these designs will come to life on stage—bringing together music, storytelling, and visual artistry.
A special thank you goes to Tanya Jacobs and the QPAC Wardrobe Department in Brisbane, whose expertise helped fit these garments during AYO’s recent Summer Season program.
Since its founding in 2014, The Social Outfit has empowered over 1,100 refugees and migrants through training in sewing, manufacturing, and retail. The organisation has provided stable employment for 116 individuals and repurposed over 16 tonnes of fabric into ethical, sustainable fashion—fostering both social and environmental change.
Amy Low, CEO of The Social Outfit, shares:
“It’s a thrill to have AYO musicians perform in garments sewn in our Marrickville workroom. This collaboration of music and fashion proudly reflects a dynamic, creative future for the arts in Australia. We are excited that the skills of our refugee and new migrant sewers will soon be showcased on a global stage.”
Camilla Schippa, The Social Outfit Ambassador, adds:
“For us, offering manufacturing services is a game changer. It opens up more opportunities for work, meaning more women can join our team and build sustainable careers.”
This collaboration between AYO, Ikuntji Artists, and The Social Outfit is more than a meeting of music and visual art—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and empowerment. As AYO musicians take the stage, they proudly carry these stories with them, sharing their resonance with audiences around the world.
[Workroom photos supplied by The Social Outfit]