Rukaji Designs is a family business led by matriarch Eva Nargoodah and her eldest daughter Jonian who are based in Jimbalakudunj Community in the Fitzroy Valley, West Kimberley WA. They have established a textile design practise led by four core artists and supported by many more family members.

The textiles developed by Rukaji utilise locally sourced natural dyes and bush medicine. Rukaji have developed their own dying techniques and patterns through experimentation and the introduction of rusty objects such as wire springs, horseshoes, and old copper piping. Rukaji apply their techniques to a variety of textiles including high quality silks, upcycled linen and cotton bed sheets, clothing and antique flour bags reflecting on the station history of their family.

Rukaji are proud to keep the cultural practises that surround bush medicines and dyes alive and well, sourcing from their environment and teaching their children and broader community about these essential practises.

They are innovative in sourcing as many materials as they can from their surrounds, keeping things natural, they don’t use any chemicals and all processes are done in their community. Every piece is original, created by hand and has its own unique design and dye profile.

The Nargoodah family are passionate creators and cultural keepers. Rukaji Designs have developed their textile designs over many years now, constantly experimenting with the cultural practise of bush medicines, dyes and pattern development to create stunning textiles. They have developed their practise slowly, working firstly with scarves and branching into upcycled materials, clothing and bed sheets. In 2019 Rukaji exhibited a collection of clothing created with antique flour bags they dyed and sewed themselves presented at the Art Gallery of WA. Keeping cultural practises alive and teaching their growing families is at the very heart of their textile practise.