BORN: c 1922
REGION: Utopia
LANUGUAGE GROUP: Anmatyerre and Alyawarr.
View Emily’s artwork here
Emily Pwerle’s country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyerre and Alyawarr. She is in her late 80’s, possibly born in 1922 (no records exist).
Emily lives in Irrultja, a tiny settlement in Utopia of about 100 people.
She has had little exposure to western culture and only picked up a paintbrush for the first time in 2004.
Emily’s extended family are all artists, Aileen and Betty Mpetyane, and her older sister, the late, great, Minnie Pwerle (1914 – 2006)
Emily was encouraged by all to paint along with her sisters Gayla and Molly Pwerle.
This inaugural workshop heralded the start of an amazing painting experience. Just as Minnie showed the glorious freedom of expression, her sisters Emily, Molly and Galya followed suit.
Another workshop was quickly arranged and so it continues. Minnie took a close and supportive role in the development of her younger sisters.
The sisters had an instant response to applying paint onto canvas, developing expressions of their Dreaming’s that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Emily quickly demonstrated, that she had her own energetic style and colourful palette. The depth and linear complexity of Emily Pwerle’s paintings have their origins in separate Dreaming Symbols which the artist brings together on her canvases in over-lapping layers.
Emily paints Awelye, an Anmatyerre word, which refers to women’s business and to ceremonies associated with ritual knowledge owned only by women. It is depicted by a series of lines and symbols, often criss-crossed patterns that are layered across the canvas with colours that are explosive, colourful and energetic. The patterns represent the designs painted on women’s bodies during bush tucker ceremonies in Atnwengerrp. Emily has developed her own unique, contemporary style and is proving to be a prolific, energetic and talented artist, akin to her late sister Minnie Pwerle.
A ritual passed down from their ancestors, shows respect for their country and dance out their collective maternal role within their community. Awelye is never performed in the presence of men.