1972
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Iylentye (Mosquito Bore), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk
Subjects: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.
Abie paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Iylentye (Mosquito Bore).
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.
