From Paris Fashion Week to dressing staff at the Australian Consulate in Vietnam, Ikuntji Artists are an export success story.
Located in the tiny remote community of Haasts Bluff (Ikuntji), three hours west of Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the population sits at just 150.
Over 100 artists come to Ikuntji Artists to paint at the art centre, and between eight and ten artists come on a daily basis.
Ikuntji Artists have garnered a following around the world, particularly in France where there is a lot of interest in their works. Creations include hand printed cotton, linen and silk fabrics, clothing, jewellery, paintings, accessories and books.
Established in 1992 initially as a women's centre providing catering and services for elderly women and children, the focus changed to become an art centre in 2005 with the establishment of the Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation.
The art centre is the cultural hub of the community, maintaining, reinforcing and reinvigorating cultural practices through art.
German-born Dr Chrischona Schmidt has lived in Ikuntji since 2012 and manages the art centre, working closely, under the directive of the board, with the artists and collaborators.
"It's fascinating that the French have such a strong interest in Aboriginal Art," says Dr Schmidt.
"Through IDAIA, we did a collaboration with BHV, a large French department store, turning our fabrics into homewares and an entire area was dedicated to our products, we were the only ones and it's the first time ever they have done anything like this."
IDAIA France was founded in 2008 and is a social enterprise dedicated to the promotion and support of contemporary Aboriginal creation.
Ikuntji Artists was the first and so far only art centre to hold its own show at 2023 Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, and they have also had fabrics and clothes featured at Fashion Weeks in Paris, New York, London, Dublin, Naarm/Melbourne and Auckland.
Painting, clothes, fabrics and accessories are exported around the world and the Ikuntji Artists website receives 60,000 visitors each month.
The First Nations Businesses Succeeding Internationally Report found that First Nations exporters generated more than $670 million in revenue in 2022-23 and typically employed over seven times more workers than other First Nations businesses.
Dr Schmidt says Ikuntji Artists gets approached once a month with offers to collaborate.
"We go through a process to ensure both businesses values are aligned and what is appropriate; it's not only about payment but also about artists credit, how the work is being used, what it's being used for. We try to find long term partners which are more beneficial than one-off licensing agreements."
Ikuntji Artists export success has attracted attention with the art centre named a Creative Industries finalist in 2023 and 2024 at the Australian Export Awards.
The inaugural First Nations Exporter Award for the outstanding international success of First Nations export businesses, a new category at the 63rd Australian Export Awards, will open more opportunities for Indigenous Businesses to shine on the global stage.
Run by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), entries for the 2025 Australian Export Awards open on 29 April, closing 13 June 2025.
To enter the Australian Export Awards, visit www.exportawards.gov.au
