Ilyarnaty by Michelle Lion Kngwarreye (SOLD)

Michelle was one of the younger generation of painters who participated in Utopia Art movement’s inception in the 1980’s. Now in her 50’s, Michelle continues to live a traditional life in Utopia’s northernmost reaches.

Over the decades, Michelle’s style of painting has not evolved so much as it has shifted from one neat and refined design to another, each piece meticulously crafted whether through fine lines or fine dots.

This piece is one of her more familiar styles that she replicates from time to time. In it she explores the shades of the Ilyarnayt, a type of wattle called Acacia Validinervia. It grows abundantly in northern Utopia near Michelle's home and is particularly favoured for the abundance of edible grubs living in the roots and its edible seeds.

Except for the seed pods depicted by green ellipticals, this entire painting is created by individual dots using small ink bottles.

Artist: Michelle Lion Kngwarreye 
Skin name: Kngwarreye (also spelled Kngwarrey or Ngwarai) 
Language group: Alyawarr
Country: Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr
Region: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: late 1960’s