Bush Medicine Leaf

Abie Loy Kemarre

1972

Anmatyerre

Iylentye (Mosquito Bore), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk

Bush Medicine Leaf, Bush Turkey, Akatyerre (Desert Raisin), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Bush Hen, River, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Akatyerre (Desert Raisin), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Bush Medicine

Abie Loy Kemarre was born in 1972 and is an Anmatyerre artist from Ilyentye (also known as Ahalpere) in the Utopia region, northeast of Alice Springs. She is the eldest of five children born to Margaret Loy Pula and Ray Loy Pula, and comes from a highly respected family of artists. Her grandmother Kathleen Petyarre (deceased) and aunt Gloria Petyarre (deceased) were both celebrated artists and members of the renowned seven Petyarre sisters.

Abie began her artistic journey in the early 1990s under the guidance of her grandmother Kathleen Petyarre, who taught her the techniques of fine dotwork painting. Abie developed her own distinctive style, combining bold shapes and thick lines with carefully applied fine dots to create detailed and intricate designs. She creates her fine dotwork using small applications of paint, building each artwork with patience and precision.

Working with acrylic on canvas and linen, Abie paints important stories connected to her Country, including Bush Medicine Leaf, Bush Turkey, Akatyerre (Desert Raisin or Bush Tomato), and Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs). Her artworks reflect her deep connection to Country and the cultural knowledge passed down through her family.

Abie's talent and dedication have gained recognition throughout Australia and internationally. She has been a finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 1997 and 2001, and her artworks are held in major collections around the world. Earlier in her career, she also worked with silk batik, with these works being exhibited internationally. Mbantua Gallery has supported Abie's artistic journey from the early stages of her career and continues to celebrate the development of her unique style.