Atham-areny Story

Angelina Ngale

1947

Anmatyerre

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

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk, Wood Carving

Atham-areny Story, Anwekety (Conkerberry), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Anwekety (Conkerberry), Women's Story

Angelina Ngale was born in 1947 and is an Anmatyerre artist from Ahalpere in the Utopia region, northeast of Alice Springs. Born to Nellie Petyarre, Angelina has become a respected Aboriginal artist whose work is held in collections throughout Australia and internationally.

Angelina began her artistic journey creating silk batik during the early Utopia batik movement of the late 1970s. When acrylic painting was introduced to the Utopia region, she transitioned to working with acrylic on canvas and linen, developing her own distinctive style. She is well known for her fine dotwork paintings and her detailed representations of important cultural stories.

Angelina is best known for her Atham-areny Story, a significant story from her Country. She also paints Anwekety (Conkerberry or Bush Plum) and Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs), although these are subjects she paints less frequently today. Her Atham-areny paintings share the story of small creatures that live where there is no fire and the ceremonial practices associated with this important story.

Working with acrylic on canvas and linen, Angelina has also explored wood carving as part of her artistic practice. Her artworks continue to reflect the cultural knowledge, stories and traditions of her Utopia Country.