Galya Pwerle Anmatyerre and Alyawarr, b. c.1930s
31 1/8 x 23 5/8 in
Galya Pwerle was a senior artist from Utopia. Her sister was the late Minnie Pwerle, with whom she started painting c. 2005 along with her sisters Emily and Mollie.
She painted ‘Awelye Atnwengerrp’ which means women's ceremony, celebrating the renewal of bush foods. These in Galya's case, are Bush Melon or Bush Tomato and its Seed. ‘Bush Melon Seed’ is depicted by small curved brushstrokes while the ‘Bush Melon’ works consists of blunt paintbrush dabs that are layered across a body paint design background and that can be seen when the painting is viewed from side on. The patterns represent the designs painted on women's bodies during bush tucker ceremonies, in Atnwengerrp and can be seen in as the under layer of the painting, especially if the work is viewed side-on. During these ceremonies the women dance, and sing, paying homage to their ancestors, the land and the food it provides.
Galya Pwerle’s paintings are notable for her use of strong, vibrant colours, energetic brushtrokes, as well as her unique representation of body designs under the painting’s glowing surface.
Provenance
DACOU 110703McCulloch Collection

