Silk painting workshops

30 May

Written By Ku Arts

*Ku Arts travelled to Goolwa in May to deliver a two-day silk painting workshop. Funded by the Australian Government’s* *Protection of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property Grant Program, the workshop expands on Ku Arts’ 2025 Silk Painting Product Development program.*

Located 88km from Adelaide, Goolwa is home to a wide community of Aboriginal artists working independently of an art centre. Ku Arts has been supporting artists in Goolwa and across the wider Murraylands region since 2017.

Ku Arts ran a two-day silk painting workshop took place in Goolwa from 25 - 26 May with renowned Ngangiwumerri artist, Pilawuk White and her son Niwili White Forrest. Artists experimented with colour and composition, translating existing artistic practices into wearable textile forms. With expert tuition from Pilawuk, participants continued to build on their understanding of the required preparation, consistency, and finishing techniques while engaging in their own small-batch production.

Participating artists included Katrina Doolan, Rob Berkovic, Melanie Koolmatrie, Cathy Koolmatrie, Dee Matthews, Kristal Matthews, Niwili White Forrest, Pilawuk White.

This workshop expands on Ku Arts’ 2025 Silk Painting Product Development program where Ku Arts delivered a highly successful multi-stage textile development initiative led by Pilawuk White. Artists produced vibrant hand painted silk panels expressing personal and cultural storylines, which were transformed into a refined product line of bespoke silk tote bags. Artists contributed to every stage of design—from colour ways and strap choices to branding—strengthening their commercial literacy, understanding of production processes, and confidence as designers.

The product line debuted at the Tarnanthi Art Fair in October 2025, where participating artists also assisted with sales and booth operations, gaining hands-on experience in customer engagement, stock presentation, retail decision-making, and exhibition preparation. This demonstrated the emergence of a skilled and motivated group of First Nations textile artists ready for national industry pathways.

In 2026, the initiative scales up as artists develop an expanded product range for launch at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair through the Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) Industry Booths. Participants continue to lead concept development, design, production oversight, documentation, and market presentation. The project showcases South Australian First Nations textile design nationally, strengthen engagement with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), and builds sustainable career pathways for regional and remote artists.

Image: Katrina Doolan, Rob Berkovic, and Pilawuk White at the Goolwa silk painting workshop, May 2026.
Photo: Mel Henderson.

Image: Cathy Koolmatrie at the Goolwa silk painting workshop, May 2026.
Photo: Mel Henderson

Framed around gender equity and First Nations self-determination, EmpowerHer specifically targets Aboriginal women in Port Lincoln, recognising that women artists are disproportionately affected by barriers to participation in the arts. According to the 2021 ABS Census, Port Lincoln is home to 946 First Nations people, 50.9% of whom are women. Of this female cohort, 37% have only received primary school education, highlighting the significant barriers to further training and professional pathways.

Delivered through a series of intensive workshops, participants of EmpowerHer will create premium pet accessories while strengthening technical skills, creative confidence, and understanding of pricing, branding, and quality standards. The focus is on small-batch, limited-edition production with strong market appeal and cultural integrity. Works produced during EmpowerHer will retail at the Ku Arts Textile Projects Booth at the 2026 DAAF (Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair).