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c. 1930
Deceased:2014
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Atnangkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk
Subjects:Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Akatyerre (Desert Raisin), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard)
Myrtle was one of the famous 'Petyarre Sister', sister of Ada, Gloria, Nancy, Kathleen, Violet and Jean Petyarre. Like her sisters, Myrtle painted the Mountain Devil Lizard, or Arnkerrthe, which was one of the dreamings from Atnangkere and Alhalkere country.
She was involved with the Utopia Women's Batik group since its inception in the early 1970s. Her work was featured in 'A Picture Story', a project initiated by CAAMA in the late 1980s. Myrtle began painting on canvas in 1988 as part of CAAMA's Summer Project.
She was known for her bold linear patterns, which illustrated body paint designs for the Mountain Devil Lizard Story.
Myrtle 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 Myrtle and the people of her country. In the Dreamtime, the Arnkerrthe travelled over Myrtle'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.
