EMILY PWERLE - AWELYE-ATNWENGERRP

 EMILY PWERLE
AWELYE-ATNWENGERRP,  2011
128 x 96 cm
Synthetic Polymer Paint on Canvas
 
PROVENANCE
Utopia, NT
Coo-ee Art Gallery, NSW 
 
STORY
Emily is the sister of Minnie Pwerle. She is painting the body paint designs worn by women when performing ceremonies. The bold linear patterns of stripes and curves depicts the Women's Ceremony body paint design. After smearing their bodies with animal fat,the women trace these designs onto their breasts, arms and thighs singing as each woman has a turn to be ā€�painted upā€™.The songs relate to the Dreamtime stories of Ancestral Travel and other plants,animals and natural forces. Awelye - Women's Ceremony - demonstrates respect for the land and in performing these ceremonies they ensure well being and happiness within the communities. Atnwengerrp is Emily Pwerle's Country.