Desert Journey Silk Top
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout
Why choose a Mainie Aboriginal art silk top?
 |
Luxurious Feel + Elegance: You’ll love the unmatched softness and lightweight elegance of silk. This Mainie top drapes beautifully, adding a touch of sophistication to any outfit - perfect for both your everyday wear and special occasions. |
 |
Unique and Meaningful Design: Stand out with a distinctive Aboriginal art top that adds a stylish touch to your wardrobe. By purchasing, you're supporting Indigenous artists and communities, helping to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage. |
 |
Breathable and Versatile: Silk is naturally breathable, keeping you comfortable in any season making it a must-have accessory for your wardrobe. |
|
Presenting a distinctively Australian Aboriginal art design by esteemed Warlpiri artist, Mary Napangardi Gallagher, this beautifully handmade silk top exemplifies Mainie’s “Luxurious, Authentic, Unique” trademark. The exquisite Desert Journey print design reflects the vibrant earth and sky colours distinctive to the Australian Outback. This versatile and easy to wear top is perfect for all occasions from casual beach wear to evening wear. The top can be worn poncho style with the buttons at the front and back for a longer look or it can be worn horizontally with the buttons along the arms for an elegant off the shoulder look.
|
|
|
The Artwork Story Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Desert Journey Dreaming) The original artwork by artist Mary Napangardi Gallagher depicts the Dreamtime Story about a journey by a group of Warlpiri women who travelled across the desert gathering a vine called Ngalyipi. The Ngalyipi vine has long been used by the Warlpiri women for sacred ceremonies. The vine also has medicinal uses. |
|
|
Artist details 
Mary Napangardi Gallagher
Mary Napangardi Gallagher was born in Napperby, a homestead 120 km from Papunya, a remote Aboriginal community in Central Australia. Mary paints her father’s Jukurrpa (Dreamings), which relate to Pikilyi Jukurrpa (Vaughan Springs) a large and important waterhole in the desert country; and Janmarda Jukurrpa (Bush Onion Dreaming). Mary remembers playing in this area as a child, while collecting bush tucker with her family. The Jukurrpa at Napperby belongs to all Napangardi, Napanangka, Japangardi and Japanangka descendants and has been passed down over the millennia to the present day through many generations of the artists’ ancestors. When Mary was a young adult, she moved with her family to the Aboriginal community of Yuendumu, located in the Tanami Desert region around 290 km from Alice Springs. Mary met and married her husband in Yuendumu and later moved to Nyirripi, a remote Aboriginal outstation about 160 km north-west of Yuendumu, to bring up her five children Ben, Duncan, Richard, Eldy and Rea, and several grandchildren. Mary and her grown-up children still live at Nyirripi. Mary has been painting with Warlukurlangu Arts Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre based in Yuendumu, since 2006. The art centre staff regularly visit Nyirripi to collect finished work and drop off canvas, paint and brushes for the artists. When Mary is not painting, she likes to go hunting with her family for goanna and bush tucker. |
Choose options
Customer Reviews
Mainie is a brand I proudly wear for so many reasons. I love that each scarf has a story and that I know with each piece funds go back to the woman that designed it. I adore the vibrancy of the colours and the high quality, I have had my scarves for many years now and they are so versatile from wearing them to do presentations or going out for lunch. I stand for empowering women and standing proud in your individuality and Mainie embodies this in every way.
Lesley Clarke
Our Mainie scarves have become an essential wardrobe component both at home and when travelling. They serve to elevate any outfit whilst also celebrating Australian First Nations culture with dignity and sophistication. The silk product is beautiful to wear and the merino wool is unbelievable soft and so warm. Lightweight, easy to pack and always commented on.
Tanya, Emily and Elizabeth
I love the Mainie Scarves, for myself and as the perfect gift. They are investment pieces that will be part of your wardrobe for life. I love travel and one or two scarves are always included in my luggage. They are perfect on the plane and for dressing up outfits. I take a Merino scarf for cooler climates and silk ones everywhere else. However, the very best part is the ethical basis of the brand. I know I support a woman artist from a First Nations community when I purchase something from Mainie. They look good and do good at the same time.
Jo Pyne
Founded by Gunggari Aboriginal woman Charmaine Saunders in 2012, Mainie is a Supply Nation certified Indigenous Australian-owned company and an Indigenous Art Code approved dealer member. We recognise the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We respect the resilience, strength and pride of Australia’s First Nations people and their communities. Mainie is committed to supporting Aboriginal women artists to earn an independent income from their own work and to keep alive their traditional cultural heritage for future generations.