Shift dress - Tjilkamata Rockhole
$260.00
This variant is currently sold out







- scooped neckline on front & back
- shift style
- Zipper on the left
- Pocket in right seam
- above knee length
- Fabric designed by Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon at Ikuntji Arts, Haasts Bluff NT
- Fabric hand screen printed in Sydney
- Coral and brown print on charcoal linen/cotton
- Made in Sydney
Artist: Kumuntjai Nampitjinpa Dixon
Kumuntjai Nampitjinpa Dixon was a Luritja and Pintupi artist; born in 1943 near Talaalpi: country east of Walungurru on the Western Australia / Northern Territory border. She was an established artist who exhibited widely around Australia and the world. Her late father was one of the original Papunya Tula painters. Prior to painting, Kumuntjai worked for many years at the Kintore School teaching the young girls dancing and the traditions of the desert people. She was a “dancing woman” who traveled widely to participate in annual ceremonies and “Women’s Law” meetings. She was a lead singer in the Sydney 2000 Oympics. Her personal Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) was Tjilkamata - the porcupine. Her story is told in bright colours often utilising orange and yellow to mirror the ochres that are used in ceremonial body painting. In her Tjukurrpa story there is often the porcupine scurrying about rock holes and hiding places looking for tucker while nearby the women are themselves hunting, laying in wait for the porcupine
Art story: Tjilkamata Rockhole
This is the story of Tjilkamata - the porcupine man. He is travelling around Talaalpi, West of Kintore and is looking for ants. He digs for them in the ground and creates holes. Meanwhile tracking behind him are women out hunting, hoping to make the porcupine their tucker for the evening. These holes fill with water after the rain and with the morning dew. Over many years they have become rockholes.
This work is the story of Kumuntjai’s personal Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) – the porcupine (Tjilkamata). The setting is the rockholes in and around the swamp of Talaalpi in Western Australia.
Art centre: Ikuntji Artists
Ikuntji Artists is located in Haasts Bluff community, which is 230km west of Alice Springs, in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Ikuntji Artists was the first art centre established for women of the Western Desert art movement. Ikuntji Artists has many internationally renowned artists, who are represented in galleries and institutions around the world. Their art is famous for bold colour choice, decisive brush strokes, and rich cultural storytelling.
Size and fit
Obby is 162cm tall, she wears size 6. There is a zip down the left side; these are a slightly generous fit!
shift dress | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 |
bust circumference (cms) | 93 | 98 | 103 | 108 | 113 | 118 | 123 |
waist circumference (cms) | 86 | 91 | 96 | 101 | 106 | 111 | 116 |
hips circumference (cms) | 103 | 108 | 113 | 118 | 123 | 128 | 133 |
length from neckline (cms) | 83.1 | 83.8 | 84.4 | 85.1 | 85.7 | 86.3 | 87 |
arm holes circumference (cms) | 48.6 | 50.8 | 53 | 55.2 | 57.4 | 59.6 | 61.8 |
Treat me right
Design is printed on linen with quality inks and then heat-set; designs are colourfast. Each metre of fabric is hand-printed and is unique - fabulous variations often occur!
Please treat your wearable art with love and care – we recommend cold hand wash, dry in shade, and reverse iron.
Shipping
Standard Australia Post: AUD $8 (approx 5 business days)
Express Australia Post: AUD $11 (approx 1 - 2 business days)
Standard International post: AUD $15
Express International Post: AUD $25
Free standard shipping Australia-wide for all orders over $500
All orders are packed and dispatched from country Victoria (Postcode 3685 if you would like to get an estimate from Aus Post). Orders made before 2pm will be posted that day, and after 2pm will be posted next business day.
Our guarantee: returns and exchanges
We want you to be happy with your Magpie Goose item + for it to fit well. We will exchange, provide a store credit, or provide a refund if your item does not fit or if the piece is not right for you! Full returns policy here.



























