Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story

Rosemary Bird Mpetyane

1977

Anmatyerre

Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen

Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) Dreaming, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) and Ahakeye (Bush Pl

Rosemary Bird Mpetyane is an Anmatyerre artist connected to Ilkawerne Country in the Utopia region of Central Australia. Rosemary comes from a respected family of Utopia artists. She is the daughter of the late Paddy Bird and Eileen Bird, and the granddaughter of the late Ada Bird Petyarre, one of Utopia's highly respected senior artists.

Growing up surrounded by family, Country and culture, Rosemary has been taught the stories, songs and dances connected to Ilkawerne Country. Her artwork reflects this deep cultural connection through paintings of Alpar (Rat-tail Plant), Awelye (women's ceremony), Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) and Ahakeye (Bush Plum).

Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, Rosemary continues to develop her own artistic style while honouring the knowledge and traditions passed down through generations of her family. She lives in the Utopia region with her husband Clifford Tilmouth, their children and extended family.