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c. 1934
Deceased:2009
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Atnangkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk and Cotton
Subjects:Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Bush Medicine, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard), Kame (Pencil Yam Seed)
Nancy was the second eldest of the 'seven famous Petyarre sisters' from the Utopia region. She shared the story of Arnkerrthe, the Mountain Devil Lizard, with her sisters and each had their unique way of painting it. Nancy was most well known as an artist for her fine dot designs representing the skin on the back of this gentle creature.
Nancy was not a prolific artist and earned immense respect in the industry from her passion and dedication for painting which also reflected her personality. In the latter years of her life, Nancy painted very few paintings and turned to some linear work for more ease. Initially, Nancy was part of the original group of women to participate in batik workshops and her work in this is represented in the Robert Holmes à Court collection. Her artwork is also in collection at the National Gallery of Australia.
Nancy passed away peacefully at Utopia in August 2009 after suffering a stroke in Alice Springs. She requested to be buried next to Emily Kame Kngwarreye in a little known spot along the Sandover Highway.
The Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) is a gentle little lizard that is covered in thorns. For added protection it is able to camouflage itself by changing its skin colour with its surroundings. The changing of skin colour is represented by the colours used in this painting.
The Arnkerrthe is very sacred to Nancy and the people of her country. In the Dreamtime, the Arnkerrthe travelled over Nancy's land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories.
