Aboriginal Artist from Utopia

Emily Pwerle, one of eight children and younger sister of the acclaimed artist Minnie Pwerle, was born in the Utopia Station region of the Northern Territory. 

Emily started painting in 2004. At that time Minnie’s daughter, the well known artist Barbara Weir organised a number of workshop where four of her aunts - sisters Molly, Galya, Emily and Minnie - worked collaboratively and individually to produce a series of paintings based on ceremony and their Dreaming stories. 

Like her sisters, Emily’s main title is Awelye Atnwengerrp  andwhilst the sisters share the same Dreaming, each one has developed her own unique, contemporary style and interpretation of her Dreaming. 

Awelye Atnwengerrp  or Women’s Ceremony is represented by designs based on dancing tracks which can only be painted by the Pwerle or Kemarre owners. They are painted on the women’s bodies before ceremony is performed. 

Emily lives with her sisters at Irrultja (Urultja) a small community settlement at Utopia 300kms north-east of Alice Springs. Her paintings are eagerly sought by collectors and are held in galleries nationally and internationally.

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