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c. 1931
Deceased:2016
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Antarrengeny, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk, Seed Jewellery, Wood Carving
Subjects:Country, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Apeng (Kurrajong) Dreaming, Merne Altwerr (Split-Jack), Camp Scene, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ngkweyang (Kurrajong Seed)
Mary Morton Kemarre was a well known Utopia artist. She was involved in the batik movement established at Utopia in the late 1970's.
Mary painted her country (Antarrengeny) and the ceremonial body paint designs belonging to her country. She lived in the Utopia region with her large extended family with a bright and bubbly personality. Mary had four daughters, Lucky, Audrey, Sarah and Ruby who are also well known in the Aboriginal art industry.
Mary depicts the Merne Altwerr, the Split-Jack plant. Merne means food in Mary's language and Altwerr is the plant.
The seeds of the Altwerr plant were once collected, ground and used to make bread. This practice is not habitual now due to ready made bread however the story of collecting it is passed on to new generations.
