Awelye Anemangkerr by Molly Pwerle

Linear patterns in this painting depict women's ceremonial body paint designs, called awelye. Women of Atnwengerrp trace these designs onto their breasts, arms and thighs, singing as each woman takes her turn to be ‘painted-up’.

One of Molly's main Dreamtime stories is for the anemangkerr; a small globular fruit similar to a little melon. This fruit is high in Vitamin C, and is favoured for its exceptional keeping qualities. Women's ceremonies are performed by the women of Atnwengerrp country in relation to this story.  

Colours: Matisse's Titanium White and Australian Ghost Gum

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
• Size of painting: 30cm x 30cm
• Border: Approx 6cm strip of black canvas border designed to be wrapped around a stretcher frame
• Background colour: Black
• This painting comes unstretched and rolled in a tube.
• This painting comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and artist profile.

Molly Pwerle is an Australian Aboriginal artist aged in her 90's. She began painting in 2004 when her niece Barbara Weir organised a workshop for her and her sisters Geyla, Emily and Minnie Pwerle. At that time, Minnie was a successful artist who had become highly sought after within just a few years of painting.

Molly's works have been exhibited across Australia and the US, and include collaborations with her sisters. She paints works depicting her Dreaming, Anemangkerr, and the associated ceremonial elements. Anemangkerr is a large bush tomato commonly referred to as bush melon. Its seeds are discarded and the fruit eaten. It grows in northern Utopia, near Molly's home, and is favoured for its exceptional keeping qualities.

Molly, Geyla and Emily have remained out of the limelight since Minnie's passing and live in a small, remote settlement in northern Utopia. The sisters live together in a communal humpy on the outskirts of the settlement and maintain traditional customs and living off the land.  

LEARN MORE

Body Paint Exhibition | 8 Mar - 19 May 2019

Introducing Molly Pwerle

Catalogue: SP0550