Date of Birth: c.1930s

Language: Anmatyerre/Alyawarr

Emily Pwerle's country is Atnwengerrp and her languages are Anmatyerre and Alyawarr. She was possibly born in the early 1930s (no records exist) and lives in Irrultja, a tiny settlement in Utopia of about 100 people. She has had little exposure to western culture and only picked up a paintbrush for the first time in 2004.

Sister of the late Minnie Pwerle, Emily Pwerleʼs extended family are all artists: Barbara Weir, Aileen and Betty Mpetyane. She started painting professionally with her sisters Galya and Molly in collaboration with Minnie Pwerle. Pwerle paints ʻAwelye Atnwengerrpʼ, meaning womenʼs ceremony, which is depicted by a series of lines and symbols, often criss-crossed patterns that are layered across the canvas with colours that are explosive, colourful and energetic.

The patterns represent the designs painted on women's bodies during bush tucker ceremonies in Atnwengerrp.