Body Paint by Annie Hunter Petyarre (SOLD)

The arc linear pattern in this painting represents the Irrwelty ceremonial body paint designs for women.

Aboriginal body paint designs are perhaps the oldest living art form in the world, these are designs with prehistoric origins. Women perform ceremony to heal the sick, connect with their country and teach the younger women so they can carry on the traditions of the community. To apply body paint before ceremony, women firstly smear their upper bodies with animal fat, or now often generic vegetable oil. Powders ground from ochres, charcoal and ash may be applied, usually with their fingers or a tyepale (a flat stick with soft padding). The oil helps to keep the powders in place and for easier removal of the ochre powder from the skin.

Artist: Annie Hunter 
Skin name: Petyarre (also spelled Pitjara, Petyarr, Apetyarr)
Language group: Alyawarr
Country: Irrwelty
Region: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: c. 1964