or make 4 interest-free payments of
$137.50 AUD
fortnightly with
More info
c. 1970's
Language Group:Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Angootuna, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ngkweyang (Kurrajong Seed), Imuna (Bush Food), Yerrampe (Honey Ant) Dreaming, Camping, Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food) and Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Women Collecting Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush),
Shirley began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 1999, following in the footsteps of her mother, Elsie Dixon, and many talented members of her extended family who are skilled dot painters. Raised at Alcoota, Shirley is the eldest of five sisters: Thelma, Elizabeth, Maureen and Dianne Dixon.
Shirley paints the stories passed down from both her father's and mother's countries. Like her mother, she speaks the Arrernte language, but she is also fluent in Alyawarre. She was married to George Club Petyarre (deceased), the son of Lena Pwerle, and together they have two sons.
Shirley paints women collecting Ntyemeny, known as the Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa). A soft greyish shrub with small flowers and bright red or yellow berries, the Ntyemeny is found in abundance around Alice Springs and throughout Central Australia in every habitat. The Aboriginal people would eat the Ntyemeny berries when ripe and juicy or reconstitute the dried berries in water.
Women, represented by 'U' motifs, can carry with them their digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls) which are typical instruments used for collecting many bush foods.
