Balarinji's textile design for Qantas uniforms is called Wirriyarra, which means "My Spirit Home" in the Yanyuwa Aboriginal language from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
"Spirit Home" to Balarinji means the spiritual heart of Australia : an ancient and beautiful Aboriginal cultural tradition, a continent of majestic landscapes, and a young, vibrant multi-cultural nation. All these themes are represented in the Wirriyarra contemporary design created for Qantas.
The boomerang is a unique motif which is recognized and valued for its quintessential Australian character. Boomerangs feature in stories from all over the country about the Dreaming travels and exploits of spirit ancestors, as they journeyed across Australia, creating the landforms and naming the valleys, mountains and waterways. The boomerangs in the Wirriyarra design follow modern day Australian journeys.
Circular motifs symbolise bush camps, made by the tribe at the end of long days trekking the landscape, in shady scrub by the edge of rivers and billabongs. Dreaming tracks radiate from sweet water to ceremonial grounds.
Rich colour palettes of rock, ochre and opal reflect the saturated earthy colours of Australian landscapes. They depict the unique clarity of light that visitors to our bush and deserts find remarkable.
Wirriyarra translates ancient travel stories for contemporary Australia. The signature of a modern nation born from a 40,000 year old cultural heritage.

Source:

Powerhouse Museum

Location:

Australia

Longitude:

135.0

Latitude:

-25.0