Crimson Soakage by Lena Pwerle (SOLD)

Painted with Matisse's Napthol Crimson, Burnt Umber and Titanium White, Crimson Soakage represents Lena's Soakage Dreaming - where soakages (waterholes) are found beneath the desert floor. 

The blending of burnt umber - a classic brown, and crimson red - a romantic, blue-based red, provokes an arcane sense of rhythm and adventure; as if we're watching the land change at sundown, where the deep, rich desert colours intermingle and play with the shadows.

Lena says that many of the soakages are all dried and used up now but had plenty of water in them long ago, even when she was growing up. They provided her people with a much needed water supply.

With their intimate knowledge of the land, Lena’s people knew how and where to find them in the harsh desert environment.

“Long time [ago] olden time mob get their little coolamon (bowl), they check them [soakages] – proper good one water! They been find ‘em under the ground. My grandmother taught me where to find ‘em. They dry now, they finish. They [my people] drink bore water now” - Lena Pwerle

Artist

Name: Lena Pwerle
Skin name: Pwerle (also spelled Pula)
Language group: Anmatyerre
Country: Ahalpere
Region: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: 1934
Read Lena Pwerle's full bio »

Related Content

'What is a Soakage?'
Soakages exhibition I Lena Pwerle - 15 Oct - 16 Dec 2015
Soakages Sequel exhibition I Lena Pwerle - 16 Sep - 12 Nov 16

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
• Size of painting: 120cm x 90cm
• Size of linen border: Approx 8cm
• Designed to be stretched on a 2cm deep stretcher frame
• Background colour: Black