1973
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na) , Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Imuna (Bush Food)
Maggie Bird Mpetyane is the eldest daughter of artist Paddy Bird (deceased) and Eileen Bird. Her grandmother is the late Ada Bird Petyarre, a highly respected senior artist from Utopia. Maggie has worked as a teacher's assistant at Akaye School for 7-9 year olds. She likes reading, math's and teaching the English language to the children. In her spare time she enjoys painting with her large extended family at Utopia, as well as hunting for sugar bags, honey ants, goanna and kangaroos.
Maggie paints the story of the rat-tail goosefoot or green crumbweed plant. In Maggie's language it is called Alpar. This small, erect herb is sticky to touch and scented heavily of citrus. Growing especially well in Mulga tree communities, it is found in abundance in Maggie's home in the Utopia Region, north east of Alice Springs.