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c. 1930's
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Akarley (Northern Wild Orange), Anthep Awelye (Ceremonial Dance)
Emily painted her first paintings for Mbantua in 2001. The theme of her paintings usually relates to Women's Ceremonies associated with her country, Atnwengerrp/Irrweltye, and the body paint designs used. Her style often shows strong, bold linear work with a backdrop of fine dots, reflecting country or sometimes akarley (bush orange), also stories from Emily's country.
Emily is a full sister to the late Minnie Pwerle (Barbara Weir's mother).
Emily paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Atnwengerrp.
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.