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1964
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk and Cotton
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Akarley (Northern Wild Orange), Country, Imuna (Bush Food), Women Collecting Akarley (Northern Wild Orange)
May began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 1996 along with her sisters Dorothy, Topsy, Mary, Mavis and Gypsy. These sisters are married into the Jones family of Utopia and therefore go by either the Lewis or the Jones surname.
May's paintings are commonly based on Awelye that is performed for the Akarley which is a bush orange that can be found throughout her country. Her paintings consist of refined dot work in various colours and patterns.
May 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.
