The designs in this painting by Abie Loy Kemarre represent Awelye (Women's Ceremonial Body Paint Designs). These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. This stick is called a ‘typale’. The women sing the songs associated with their awelye as each woman takes her turn to be ‘painted-up’.
Women perform awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.
Artist: Abie Loy Kemarre
Skin name: Kemarre
Language group: Anmatyerre
Country: Ahalpere
Area: Utopia Region, Central Australia
Born: 1972
