Magpie of Yuendumu Earrings (DD09)

Karen Napaljarri Barnes was born in Lajamanu, a remote Aboriginal community in semi-arid country on the edge of the Tanami Desert. She moved to Yuendumu after finishing school in Lajamanu, to be with her family.

She has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed Art Centre, since 2001. She is the grand-daughter of Warlukurlangu's famous artist Judy Napangardi Watson and they would sit together painting at the Art Centre every day when Karen first started painting.

Karen paints the dreaming stories handed down to her by her family for generations of millennia, stories which come from Mina Mina, country west of Yuendumu. Her family are the custodians. She also paints Karnta Jukurrpa (Women's Dreaming), Wakulyarri Jukurrpa (Wallaby Dreaming), Ngarlajiyi Jukurrpa (Bush Carrot Dreaming) and Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Bugerigar Dreaming).

A portion of the profit from each piece of Occulture's Desert Dogs collection sold is donated to the Aussie Desert Dogs progam. Learn More

This bright and joyful collection from Occulture features the paintings by Karen Napaljarri Barnes from the Warlukukurlangu Artists in Yuendumu. Her naive and whimsical style is much loved and celebrated for capturing the quirky and individual spirit of the animals that live in the community and surrounding desert. Occulture's Desert Dogs collection supports the Desert Dogs Program which provides, food, shelter and medical needs for the dogs and animals in their local and neighboring communities. A portion of the profit from each piece sold is donated to the cause. Learn More

Created by designer Lisa Engeman, Occulture is a collaboration with Australian indigenous artisans transferring ancient stories and knowledge into contemporary statement jewelry that celebrates and strengthens the songline of culture, knowledge, artists and community. The photoanodized aluminum jewelry with sterling silver fittings is handcrafted in Australia using cutting edge technology.

Occulture is deeply honored to represent the artists they work with, the Warlukurlangu people of the Yuendumu region of the central Australian desert, Gamilaraay woman, Arkeria Rose Armstrong, and a lineage of well-known and respected artists from Utopia and Yuelumu country, including Raymond Walters Japanangka.

The jewelry designs reproduce highlights from artists' paintings. Made by hand, each piece possesses unique, intrinsic beauty with variations in shape, size, and metal finish. The jewelry translates ancient artwork into a contemporary context by utilizing cutting-edge technology to create Occulture's sculptural designs.

Occulture is a preferred supplier for the Museum Shops Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Indigenous Art Code which promotes and regulates the fair and ethical trade in works of art by Indigenous artists. All artwork featured in their jewelry is licensed and royalties are paid directly to the individual artist. Occulture also proudly holds an Australian Made license.

Each piece of Occulture jewelry is gift boxed, with a card describing the artist and the artwork.