About the Artists
Our vibrant and dynamic artists are from the Utopia region; a large remote area of Central Australia which, until recently, had no government funded art centre. As a result of their pioneering efforts, they have one of the strongest and richest art histories.
Studio Life
Sometimes we call the expansive and remote Utopia region in Central Australia our studio.
This is where we go to work with the artists living there.
Their studios can be anything from porches to empty living rooms, under the shelter of a dedicated tree (with boxes of paints and rolls of canvas shelved in the tree branches) or within the environmental protection of a humpy.
Sacred Sites and Dreamtime Sisters with Colleen Wallace Nungari
Talking Sacred Sites, Dreamtime Sisters and dissecting symbolism with Colleen Wallace Nungari.
"Colleen told us about a sacred site on her country where Dreamtime Sisters are carved on the rock walls, and on these walls this is what they look like."
Introducing size A4
Introducing size A4...so you can easily frame at home.
Each piece measures approximately 30cm x 21cm, depending on how each artist approached the space, and is designed to fit within A4 sized frames.
Elizabeth Kunoth Kngwarreye and the Pencil Yam Flower
Elizabeth captures the untamed movement of the leaves and yellow flowers as the herb emerges from the ground after significant rain and sweeps across the desert floor, bringing the bush to life. Elizabeth has used green and yellow here to convey authenticity in the colours.
Josie Petrick Kemarre Paintings
"The sweet edible angkwerrpme berries change from green to shades of yellow, red and orange before finally a blue-ish purple (close to black) when it falls from the stem and is collected in bulk."
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A Cowboy Tale: Cowboy Loy and the Bush Turkey Dreaming
Born in 1947 on MacDonald Downs Station in Central Australia, Cowboy Loy Pwerle grew up mustering sheep and cattle and spent most of his life as a Stockman.
His name, Cowboy, is actually a name he took on in later years, reflecting his good standing in this field and revealing the depths of the passion he felt for this role.
Explore Lena. An exhibition of paintings by Utopia elder Lena Pwerle
Now Open. Lena celebrates our annual exhibition of paintings by Utopia elder Lena Pwerle.
The exhibition showcases eighteen fresh, spirited Soakage paintings.
Desert Yam in Aboriginal Art
The desert yam is sacred to the people of Irrwelty in northern Utopia and can be found featured in paintings by Aboriginal people of this area.
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Maggie Bird Unearthed Exhibition
Maggie Bird Unearthed showcases a collection of symbolic dot paintings by Utopia artist Maggie Bird in what marks her first solo exhibition.
Born in 1973 as the eldest of 11 children, Maggie Bird grew up in the southern region of Utopia. Her country is Ilkawerne which spreads across this area and continues south toward Alice Springs, some 150km away. A small bright green plant called Alpar can be found abundantly here.
Exploring Alvira Bird’s dot paintings
Alvira Bird has been working on a series of dot paintings in different sizes which are finally complete and now online.
Her works are heavily influenced by the symbolism and characteristics of three Dreamings that belong to her country. These are Alpar Seed Story, Akatyerre (desert tomatoes) and Ahakeye (bush plum).
DIARY: Trip to Utopia
"George didn't explain why 'not Ahalpere', which was a burning question of mine - Ahalpere sitting right in the middle of Utopia and in between Homestead and Ngkwarlerlanem countries. How does the Dreaming travel from Homestead to Ngkwarlerlanem I wondered."
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