Chainstitch Cushion Cover - Monica Watson (1)

Chainstitch Cushion Cover - Artwork by Monica Watson.

This is a story about kaliny-kalinypa (Honey Grevillea plant), which Anangu use as a type of bush lolly: A father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes) are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina). Because of the kaliny-kalinypa found at the site the water there has a sweet taste and lots of people go there to access it. But father Wati Wanampi doesn't like this and he tells them to go back to their own country. The people leave and the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camp for weeks. When they return to Pukara, they are awoken by a buzzing sound. Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) are making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. This prompts the father and son to get up to go and collect honey. While they are doing this, a Wati Mututa (black ant) finds the father and son, and spears the son in his side. The young son starts spitting and he spits up the yellow and orange seeds of all the different types of honey grevillea.

Dimensions: 40cm square.
Materials: Wool (front), canvas (back), wooden buttons.

Designed in Australia. Chainstitched by hand in Kashmir, India. 

*Cushion filler not included.