Famous artist inspires beanie winner

A beanie maker inspired by iconic Central Australian artist Albert Namatjira has won a prize sponsored by Charles Darwin University at the annual Beanie Festival in Alice Springs.

Top Ender Clee Tonkin’s entry “Rutjubma” caught the eye of judges in the “Spirit of the Land” category, where entries must celebrate either a desert, forest, coast, bush or urban landscape.

The 100 per cent woollen work featured a replica of a Namatjira’s painting of Mount Sonder (Rutjubma) embroidered into the outer surface.

Fregon High school students Denita and Sabrina combined their skills to produce the winning entry in “New Wave”, a category for 12-19 year olds, also sponsored by Charles Darwin University.

Beanie Festival Committee Chair and CDU Student Counsellor Phil Walcott said it was another record-breaking festival.

“We will remember the 20th Beanie Festival for the record number of visitors who passed through the door and a record 4500-plus beanie sales.

“We are grateful for all who assisted with the judging, including Professor Brian Mooney from the School of Creative Arts and Humanities.”