![]() | Born: 1972 Language Group: Anmatyerre Country: Ilyentye (or Ahalpere), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs Medium: Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk Subjects: Bush Medicine Leaf, Bush Turkey, Akatyerre (Desert Raisin or Bush Tomato), Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs) |
Abie commenced painting c.1994 under the guidance of her grandmother, Kathleen Petyarre (one of the seven famous sisters). Her paintings show the detailed designs of her stories using fine dotwork and contemporary designs.
Abie is a very talented and established artist. She was selected as a finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) in 1997 and 2001.
Abie's work in batik was sent to Bali to be exhibited. Her works in acrylics have been exhibited in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and overseas.
Collections
Mbantua Gallery Permanent Collection, Alice Springs
Solo Exhibitions
2003 | Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs, N.T |
Exhibitions
2002 | Mbantua Gallery USA exhibitions: Art and Soul Gallery, Nashville, TN; 'The Cove Gallery' Portland, OR; Urban Wine Works, Portland, OR; Mary's Woods, Portland, OR |
2003 | Mbantua Gallery USA exhibitions: New City Merchants, Knoxville, TN; Art and Soul Gallery, Nashville, TN; 'The Cove Gallery' Portland, OR; Mary's Woods, Portland, OR; Contemporary Aboriginal Art Event, Umpqua Bank, Portland, Oregon; Art from the Dreamtime, Portland Art Museum, Portland OR |
2003 | World Vision - Walkabout Gallery 'My Grandmother and Me' |
2008 | Emily and Her Legacy, Hillside Gallery, Tokyo with Coo-ee Art Sydney in conjunction with the opening of the landmark retrospective exhibition Utopia – the Genius of Emily Kngwarreye at the National Art Centre, Tokyo, Japan |
2014 | Narrativa Herióca - Pintura Aborígine do Deserto Australiano - Renaissance Hotel, São Paulo, Brazil |
2014 | Arca Urbana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
The linear designs in Abie's painting represent Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs). 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.