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1957
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Atnangkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) and Kame (Seed), Ntyerrm (Seed of the Dogwood Tree), Bush Beans, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard), Country, Green Bean Tre
Jean is the youngest of the prestigious Petyarre sisters, from the Utopia region of Central Australia. The sisters are Ada Bird, Kathleen Petyarre, Nancy Kunoth Petyarre, Gloria Petyarre, Myrtle Petyarre and Violet Petyarre. Jean has five children herself and lives in the Utopia region with her husband and children.
Though not involved in the batik movement during the 1980's like her sisters, Jean began to paint for Mbantua Gallery in 1996.
Jean paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard), 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 Jean and the people of her country. In the Dreamtime, the Arnkerrthe travelled over Jean's land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories.
Linear designs represent Awelye. These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women sing the songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be 'painted-up'. Women perform Awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.
