Ceremonial Man

Wally Clarke Pwerle

c. 1953

2016

Alyawarre

Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas, Wood Carving

Grass Seed Dreaming, Men's Ceremony, Bird, Bush Turkey, Ceremonial Man, Camp Dog, Hat

Wally Clarke Pwerle (c.1953-2016) was an Alyawarre artist and highly regarded sculptor connected to Atnwengerrp and Irrweltye Country in the Utopia region. He lived at Soapy Bore in Utopia and was well known for his skill in traditional wood carving.

Working in wood carving and acrylic on canvas, Wally created sculptures of birds, bush turkeys, ceremonial men, camp dogs and hats, alongside paintings depicting Grass Seed Dreaming and men's ceremony. His paintings reflect the distinctive style of Utopia male artists, using fine linear dot work, concentric circles and parallel lines to represent Country and cultural stories.

Wally was married to artist Janice Clarke Kngwarreye and together they had seven children. He was also the brother of the late Louie Pwerle, a respected sculptor and painter, continuing a strong family connection to Alyawarre art traditions.