Bima Wear – Tiwi Islands

From the Tiwi Islands–Bathurst and Melville Islands, in the Arafura Sea about 80km north of Darwin– a women’s artistic enterprise has been created to celebrate the Tiwi people’s own distinct language and culture. There are currently 11 Tiwi women producing unique fabric prints and sewn garments in brilliant, bold, timeless designs. Fabrics feature traditional symbols, structures, family and environmental representations that are central to Tiwi culture. Dedication and morale is strong among the workers, who proudly call themselves ”the Bima Wear ladies”, with most having worked at Bima Wear since leaving school. Eight have worked there for more than 30 years, with three working since its inception in 1969. Along with constantly developing new fabric designs, the Bima women also produce fine art prints on paper, single and multiple colour linocuts and etchings.

Bima Wear Ladies L to R standing Mona, Noella, Vicki, Jocelyn, Sue, Clara, Marita, Dolphin, Greta, Josie L to R sitting Rosemary, Noreen, Lucia, Josepha, Dehlia, Antoinette Photo:Monica Napper

    Handprinted traditionally designed fabrics from the women of the Tiwi Islands