Aherte (Bilby) Dreaming

Kevin Bird Mpetyane

1974

Eastern Anmatyerre

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

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen

Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) Dreaming, Tyankern (Mulga Berries) Dreaming, Aherte (Bilby) Dreaming, Utnea (Carpet Snake) Dreaming

Kevin Bird Mpetyane was born in 1974 and is an Eastern Anmatyerre artist connected to Ilkawerne Country, north-east of Alice Springs. He is the son of the late artists Paddy Bird and Eileen Bird, and the grandson of the late Ada Bird Petyarre, a respected Utopia artist.

Kevin comes from a strong artistic family and continues to paint stories passed down through his father's ancestors. His cultural connections are associated with Ilkawerne and the Mulga Bore region, with the late Lindsay Bird Mpetyane having been a senior custodian for this Country.

Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, Kevin paints Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) Dreaming and Tyankern (Mulga Berries) Dreaming. He began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 2000 and continues to create works that reflect his connection to Country, family and inherited cultural knowledge.