Trudy and Sheree Inkamala

Trudy and Sheree Inkamala bring vibrant designs to life, capturing the essence of their cultural heritage and natural environment. Deeply rooted in the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists tradition, their work not only highlights their artistic talent but also reflects the resilience and creativity of their community.

Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, established in 2000 as an Aboriginal-owned and operated art centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), is home to various artists working with soft sculptures, textiles, prints, and film. Renowned nationally and internationally, it serves as a vital cultural space for creativity, well-being, and community empowerment. It allows artists to express their connection to Country while fostering economic opportunity and the sharing of intergenerational knowledge.

Trudy and Sheree Inkamala work across multiple mediums, including soft sculptures and prints, creating abstract forms with contrasting and complementary colours. Their pieces frequently depict birds, women, and the iconic dilly bags, with their work featuring women often incorporating fashionable designs onto the garments and bags. This creates an "art-within-art" quality, a hallmark of their style.

This distinct layering is particularly evident in their piece Dilly Bags Everywhere! Dress and Dilly Bag (2021). The work comprises a dress and a dilly bag that has been crafted from discarded metal, naturally dyed cotton, and woollen blankets—materials that emphasise Trudy and Sheree’s commitment to caring for Country. The woven dilly bags are made using bush-dyed blankets, with rich stains created by boiling plants and rusty metal. The dress, made of cotton fabric, is dyed, sewn, and hand-painted with expressive designs. Its simple form allows the bold colours and compositions of women and animals to take centre stage.

Trudy Inkamala (Western Arrernte/Luritja) was born at Hamilton Downs, northwest of Alice Springs, in 1940. She attended school in Ntaria (Hermannsburg) and learned cultural stories while collecting bush tucker with her grandmother on Country. Trudy played a significant role in establishing the Yipirinya School with her mother, sisters, and other community members, ensuring Aboriginal children in Alice Springs had a culturally safe and nurturing educational environment.

After the passing of her husband, Trudy joined her sister Dulcie Sharpe at Yarrenyty Arltere Artists. She became a prolific artist, depicting people, flora, and fauna through fibre art and hand-painted creations. A respected Elder, Trudy passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge and artistic inspiration, which she shared with the next generation of artists, including Sheree.

Sheree Inkamala (Western Arrernte/Luritja/Pitjantjatjara), born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in 1995, is a sculptural textile and print artist as well as a teacher. Her ability to translate her art into wearable fashion has garnered significant attention, particularly at prestigious events such as the Indigenous Fashion Projects’ Country to Couture show. Sheree’s vivid, colourful designs, often showcasing the beauty of animals, landscapes, and women’s daily attire, have captivated audiences and expanded her artistic reach.

In October 2024, Yarrenyty Arltere were celebrated along side other 'New Wave Designers'. For more on First Nation fashion design, read the 2022 Vogue article 'Indigenous Fashion Projects’ latest Country to Couture showcase devoted itself to the moods of the sun'.