Jeannie Mills Pwerle Alyawarre, b. 1965
36 5/8 x 48 in
Jeannie Mills Pwerle is an established and highly respected artist from the Utopia region of the Northern Territory. An Alyawarre woman born in 1965 she is the daughter of acclaimed artist Dolly Mills and the niece of senior elder Greeny Purvis Petyarre. A traditional healer or ngkarngkere Jeannie lives a traditional life in her homelands of Ahalpere as both a healer and educator - encouraging other women to participate in painting and culture.
Jeannie's paintings predominately represent the Anaty - or native yam which grows in her region. The yam grows underground with a viny shrub growing above ground up to 1 metre high. It is normally found in near to acacia trees in the spinifex-filled sand plains. Its brilliant pink flowers emerge after the summer rain. The Anaty is a tuber (or swollen root) of the shrub and tastes like sweet potato. It can be eaten raw or cooked. The linear work in Jeannie's artworks represent the root system of the yam, and her dots, its seeds. There is an ancient creation story that belongs to the Anaty, which women are taught as they enter initiation. By depicting the Anaty Jeannie pays homage to this significant plant and encourages its continual rejuvenation. Using a variety of colours in each brush stroke, Jeannie builds up a pattern of harmonious or contrasting colours, outlined by fine white dots and executed with great skill.
Jeannies glowing works have become highly sought after by art enthusiasts Australia-wide and internationally.