Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming
This exhibition celebrates the vibrant work of Magdeline Payne Ngale, an emerging Aboriginal artist from Mulga Bore in the Utopia region. Magdeline’s paintings reflect her deep connection to country and family, depicting the Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming passed down through generations.
Originally from Mulga Bore in the Utopia region, Magdeline Payne is the daughter of Jean Petyarre - the youngest of the renowned seven Petyarre sisters - and Brian Payne. She speaks Anmatyerre, Alyawarre and English. Growing up in Mulga Bore, Magdeline attended the local primary school before completing her secondary education at Yirara College in Alice Springs.
One of six children, Magdeline has two sisters, Caroline and Janella, who also paint, and three brothers, Stanley, Damien and Brendan. Together, the sisters were passed the Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming from their grandfather’s country at Adelaide Bore. Magdeline also enjoys depicting wildflowers inspired by her country.
Having learnt by observing her mother and paternal grandmother, Weida, Magdeline’s artistic style has evolved through strong family influences. Today, she draws inspiration from her mother-in-law, fellow Aboriginal artist Josepha Petrick, and her late aunt, the renowned Gloria Petyarre, from whom she developed her bush flowers style.
Josepha paints a distinctive dot-pattern design that represents her Dreaming story, Angkwerrpme (Mistletoe). With Josepha’s permission, Magdeline has adapted this intricate dot pattern to express her own Ahakeye Dreaming.
Having learnt by observing her mother and paternal grandmother, Weida, Magdeline’s artistic style has evolved through strong family influences. Today, she draws inspiration from her mother-in-law, fellow Aboriginal artist Josepha Petrick, and her late aunt, the renowned Gloria Petyarre, from whom she developed her bush flowers style.
Josepha paints a distinctive dot-pattern design that represents her Dreaming story, Angkwerrpme (Mistletoe). With Josepha’s permission, Magdeline has adapted this intricate dot pattern to express her own Ahakeye Dreaming.
This meticulous dot-on-dot painting style is a slow and deliberate process that takes Magdeline considerable time to complete. She works with calm focus, embracing the quiet and patience required to create such intricate detail. Beginning with a pencilled outline, she carefully plans before methodically laying down the first line of dots, steadily building layer upon layer as the artwork gradually takes shape.
When asked why she paints, Magdeline simply says, ‘I just like painting’. Her works often feature her favourite colours, the warm yellows and oranges of her natural landscape. She now lives in Harts Range, south of Utopia, with her husband and three young sons.
Come and visit our Alice Springs or Darwin Galleries before the end of November to experience this talented young artist’s vibrant works and inspiring story.