Kaltjiti Arts and Crafts is a community based, aboriginal owned art-centre at Fregon. It is situated 350km east of Uluru and 500km south-west of Alice Springs in the remote north-west of South Australia.
Art and craft has been a part of the Fregon Community since the beginning of the outstations days that began in 1961. Connected to Ernabella Arts through this outstation movement until 1974, hooked rugs made from handspun sheeps' wool, leather moccasins and had-painted cards were some of the original items worked on by the women using the 'walka' style.
The artwork of Fregon has been strongly based in the medium of fabric with batik, screen-printing and silk painting predominating at various times. The recent move towards painting as a major art-form, has seen a contemporary style of artwork develop, yet the artists have maintained the essence of their original style. They have also, in the process, reaffirmed their versatility as artists.
The original 'walka' style - highly patterned and multi coloured style with imaginative and intuitive imagery has evolved to include greater conceptual definition, simplification of pattern and a reduced colour palette.
There remains, however, a constant factor that continues to inspire and influence the artwork. Traditional aboriginal culture and the strong connection artists have with their traditional country, continues to inform and direct their artwork. An exampleof this is in the use of imagery that directly relates to body painting used for traditional dance (inma).
As custodians of their culture, these artists have particular significance. Through their traditional and contemporary art they continue to pass on their culture.