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Artwork Story
Loretta paints the story of the Irreyakwerre (Wild Onion). This plant is also known as yalka, nalgoo or onion grass (Cyperus bulbosus). The Irreyakwerre is one of the most important food plants in Central Australia, growing throughout the area and producing bulbs (onions) all year round except for a few weeks after rain when they germinate to form new plants.
1981
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Arawerre (Soapy Bore), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Iy-lenky-la (Small Earth Worm), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea), Irreyakwerre (Wild Onion) Dreaming, Ntyeny Ngkwarl (Red Mallee Flower), Women's Dreaming, Bush Tucker, Iy-lenky-la (Small Earth Worm) and Irreyakwerre (Wild
Loretta Jones Petyarre was born in 1981 and is an Alyawarre artist from Arawerre (Soapy Bore) in the Utopia region, north-east of Alice Springs. She comes from a large and respected family of artists and grew up surrounded by the cultural knowledge and artistic practices of her community.
Loretta learnt to paint from her mother, artist Gypsy Jones, and other senior women from Arawerre, who passed down the stories and traditions connected to her Country. Many of her siblings are also artists, continuing the strong creative legacy of their family.
Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, Loretta paints important cultural subjects including Iy-lenky-la (Small Earthworm), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Tharrkarr (Honey Grevillea), Irreyakwerre (Bush Onion), Ntyeny Ngkwarl (Red Mallee Flower), Women's Dreaming and Bush Tucker.
Loretta lives in the Utopia region with her son Justin and extended family, continuing to express her connection to Country through her artwork.
Location: Mbantua Alice Gallery
