Awely Atnwengerrp by Minnie Pwerle (SOLD)

The bold linear pattern of stripes throughout this painting illustrates the awely (women’s ceremonial body paint designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories of the Anemangkerr (bush melon or tomato). After smearing their bodies with animal fat, the women of Atnwengerrp trace these designs onto their breasts, arms and thighs’, singing as each woman takes her turn to be ‘painted-up’. Their songs relate to the dreamtime stories of ancestral travel, dance and other totemic plants, animals and natural forces. Awely demonstrates respect for the land. In performing these ceremonies they ensure well-being and happiness within their communities.

Artist: Minnie Pwerle
Skin name: Pwerle (also spelled Apwerl, Pwerl, Pula)
Language group: Alyawarr
Country: Atnwengerrp and Irrwelty
Area: Utopia Region, Central Australia
Born: c. 1922

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen

• This painting comes unstretched and rolled in a tube.
• Size of painting: 150cm x 90cm
• Background colour: Black
• Linen border: Approx 2cm strip of black border designed to be wrapped around a 2cm deep stretcher frame. Plus approx 6cm of natural coloured linen overhang.
• This painting comes with a Certificate of Authenticityand artist profile.