National Indigenous Fashion Awards

Peggy Griffiths wins the Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art Category

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Textiles


Project Status - Current

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Senior artist Peggy Griffiths has won the Cultural Adornement and Wearable Art category at the 2020 inaugral National Indigenous Fashion Awards.

"The judges commended Peggy on her strong cultural leadership and mentorship, and the confidence she is providing to young people in her community. Peggy’s Legacy Dress reflects the importance of culture, whilst remaining a visibly breathtaking piece which is wearable across the ages." NIFA

An important mentor for younger artists, Griffiths’ cultural leadership and knowledge sharing is exemplified through her fundamental involvement in Waringarri Arts’ textiles and couture fashion projects. As the leading artist in these workshops, Griffiths encouraging younger artists to become involved in order to gain valuable skills, cultural knowledge and confidence to follow in her footsteps.

The Legacy Dress which Griffiths' designed while collaborating with Indigenous designer Grace-Lillian Lee, includes layers of fabric hand-block printed by each of her granddaughters.  Each layer represents a form of bush tucker the young textile artists created through motifs handed down to them by Peggy.  This handing down of design and bush tucker knowledge is celebrated with the creation of this beautful and culturally imbued gown.  

"I'm very proud of my granddaughters in what they have created and what they are learning. I would like to see more younger people willing to try to open themselves up to gain knowledge."

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation are proud sponsors of this Award, and recognise that wearable art and cultural adornment creates a modern way to acknowledge the remarkable and ancient practice of body design and ceremony.

We also congratulate Peggy's daughter Jan Griffiths who was also a finalist in this award for her Water Lily gown.  Both garments will be exhibited at Bendio Art Gallery's Pinpii exhibition showcasing National Indigenous Fashion Design, opening later in 2020.  The exhibition is scheduled to tour to the Australian National Museum in 2021.

For further information https://artcollector.net.au/peggy-griffiths-wins-inaugural-cultural-adornment-and-wearable-art-award/