Iwantja Arts

‘Mukata Rikina’ Flash Hats from Iwantja

This project is an initiative to upcycle linen offcuts from the Iwantja Arts painting studio, to make vibrant bucket hats featuring artwork designed by Iwantja Artists.

The hats are ethically made in Australia, in partnership with not-for-profit social enterprise The Social Studio.

Iwantja Arts is an Indigenous owned and governed Art Centre, located in Indulkana, Aṇangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia.

Proceeds from ‘Mukata Rikina’ sales go directly back to the artists and their community.

This special limited-edition series proudly showcases work by the following Iwantja Artists:

Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph Mukaṯa Rikina studio photograph
Emily Cullinan at work in the Iwantja studio

Emily Cullinan

(b. 1952, Yankunytjatjara) A senior artist at Iwantja Arts, whose dynamic paintings are inspired by memories of her childhood, depicting the waterholes, boulders, and riverbeds of the Country she remembers on journeys from when she was young.

Ngura Ananyi (Travelling Country)
‘Our family would travel around, no cars back then. We lived barefoot, travelling around collecting foods. We would eat witchetty grubs, dig for rabbits and hunt for goannas. Lots of good times! And today we have really good memories from those days of travelling around on Country’
– Emily Cullinan

Bucket hat — Emily Cullinan colourway Bucket hat — Emily Cullinan second colourway
Priscilla Singer at work in the Iwantja studio

Priscilla Singer

(b. 1968, Yankunytjatjara) The daughter of Kunmanara (Sadie) Singer [1950 – 2014], who was a founding artist of Iwantja Arts, a strong leader and a pioneering woman on the APY Lands. Priscilla paints alongside her younger sister, Trisha Singer.

Manta Tjitin-tjitinpa (Glowing Red Sand)
‘I paint my ngura (Country) and its red sand. I love the strong colours of the sand. When the sun sets, you can see the glow of the earth. I paint this country so people can see my land, they can appreciate its beauty and understand its power’
– Priscilla Singer

Bucket hat — Priscilla Singer colourway Bucket hat — Priscilla Singer second colourway
Trisha Singer at work in the Iwantja studio

Trisha Singer

(b. 1973, Yankunytjatjara) The daughter of Kunmanara (Sadie) Singer [1950 – 2014], who was a founding artist of Iwantja Arts, a strong leader and a pioneering woman on the APY Lands. In the studio, Trisha paints alongside her older sister, Priscilla Singer.

Tali Ngura (Sandhill Country)
‘I paint this Country that is my home. Iwantja is a good place. It is an important place to me and my family. There are many rock holes and caves here, there is also sandhills and dry plains that stretch out very far. When I do my painting, it takes me back when I used to go out bush with my mum’
– Trisha Singer

Bucket hat — Trisha Singer colourway Bucket hat — Trisha Singer second colourway

CARING FOR YOUR MUKATA!

These flash hats are made from raw Belgian linen – a natural fibre that is breathable and durable, and gets softer over time – but they do need care to keep their shape:

  • Wash cold, wash gentle. Hand wash in cold water or use a cold gentle/delicate machine cycle if needed. Do not use hot water as this will cause your hat to shrink!
  • Skip the dryer. Heat from tumble drying can cause linen to shrink and lose its structure. You can reshape the hat while damp and let it air dry, ideally laid flat or over a rounded object (like a bowl) to help it hold its form. Ironing is not encouraged.
  • Spot clean when you can. For small marks, a damp cloth with mild soap is often enough — this keeps washing (and shrink risk) to a minimum.
  • Store it right. Keep your hat away from direct sunlight for long periods and store it somewhere it won’t get crushed out of shape.