Kathleen Ngale
Kathleen Ngale
Born: c. 1934
Deceased: 2021
Language Group: Anmatyerre
Country: Ahalpere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk, Seed Jewellery
Subjects: Anwekety (Conkerberry)
Kathleen began her art career in the late 1970's in the medium of batik with over eighty other women from the Utopia Region in Central Australia. Her work in batik is featured in 'Utopia A Picture Story'.
When the acrylics on canvas movement swept Utopia in the late 1980's Kathleen, like the other women, swiftly changed mediums. Kathleen's popularity as an artist grew in the early 2000's for her simplistic 'Anwekety' paintings. Her work has been exhibited around the globe and is also featured frequently in Aboriginal Art Auctions.
Kathleen spoke little English, but absolutely loved to talk, in particularly about her Dreamings and her country. She was enthusiastic about her work and continued to try and teach the wider world about her paintings and the Anwekety that features in them. Her influence was so great that her children are also starting to paint for Mbantua Gallery and, we hope, keep the tradition alive.
This amazingly energetic elderly woman had a vibrant quality in her work that is unbeatable. Kathleen's paintings reflect her energy and colour. Her paintings were well received not only amongst the traditional Aboriginal art collectors but also the new wave of art lovers wanting to incorporate the element of the traditional style of indigenous people and take advantage of the amazing colour combination and effect of Kathleen's paintings.
Collections
The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth, WA
Mbantua Gallery Collection, Alice Springs, NT
Exhibitions
1990
Utopia - A Picture Story, an Exhibition of 88 works on Silk by Utopian artists, Holmes à Court Collection, toured Eire and Scotland
2005
Mbantua Gallery USA exhibitions
2006
Colours of Utopia, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle, WA
2008
Emily and Her Legacy, Hillside Gallery with Coo-ee Art Sydney, Tokyo, Japan
2008
Dreamings - the Land, Outback Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, VIC
References