The award recognised our large format fabric print production for Language of the Soaks, an immersive installation created for Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2026 in Alice Springs.
Featuring the work of emerging Martumili Artist Corban Clause Williams, the design of the walls and overall installation drew inspiration from his painting Kaalpa (Kalypa, Canning Stock Route Well 23), which explores the network of soaks and waterholes that form the lifeblood of desert Country.
For Parrtjima, Corban's artwork was translated into a monumental installation, reflecting the vital role these hidden water sources have played in sustaining people, animals and culture over millennia.
The story behind the entry - bringing the artwork to life through print
Working closely with our client, Vivad produced and supplied the large-format printed fabric and custom framing solution required to help bring the creative vision to life.
The project comprised eight double-sided fabric walls, each approximately 16 metres long and more than 3 metres high, with a total of 128 linear metres of dye-sublimation fabric print produced at our Melbourne facility.
The semi-translucent fabric allowed the artwork to be experienced from both sides, creating different visual qualities as natural and artificial light interacted with the material. During the day, the installation formed a woven maze of colour and pattern, while illumination at night transformed the fabric and brought another dimension to the artwork.
The graphics were finished with keder edging and supplied with aluminium sail tracks, ready for the client to coordinate installation into curved wall structures forming an immersive pathway around a central watering hole.
Finding the right print solution
Achieving the desired result required more than simply printing at scale.
Our production team adapted a printing methodology traditionally used for flag production and applied it to this unique large-format application. Material samples were produced and reviewed with the client to determine the preferred solution and ensure the finished print achieved the intended effect once installed.
The aim was for the installation to become more than a visual experience — “a living map of movement, song and survival ”, inviting audiences to “move through Country with care, listen deeply to the stories held within water and land.” — Parrtjima Festival
Acknowledgement
Receiving Silver is fantastic recognition for our team and the technical expertise involved in producing a project of this scale. It demonstrates what can be achieved when creative vision, material selection, print expertise and collaboration come together.
A special thank you to our client, We Are Gather, for entrusting Vivad with the print production, sharing the beautiful photography of the completed installation, and allowing us to submit the project for recognition at the National Sign & Graphics Awards.
We’re proud to have received this recognition and congratulate all the finalists and award recipients across the 2026 National Sign & Graphics Awards. It’s great to see the quality and creativity of work being produced across our industry.