Anthep Awelye (Ceremonial Dance)

Molly Pwerle

c. 1928

2023

Alyawarre

Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen

Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Anemangkerr (Bush Melon) Dreaming, Akarley (Northern Wild Orange), Anthep Awelye (Ceremonial Dance)

Molly Pwerle (d.2023) was an Alyawarre artist connected to Atnwengerrp Country in the Utopia region of Central Australia.

Molly was one of the respected Pwerle sisters, a group of Alyawarre women artists who continued the strong artistic traditions of their family and Country. She began painting in 2004 with her sister Geyla, encouraged by their large extended family of artists to share their cultural stories through art. Her older sister was renowned artist the late Minnie Pwerle, and her family has played an important role in the Utopia art movement.

Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, Molly painted stories connected to her Country, including Awelye (women's ceremony), Anemangkerr (small melon) and Akarley (Bush Orange). Through her artwork, she shared the knowledge, traditions and stories passed down through generations of the Pwerle family.