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Selina Teece Pwerle, the daughter of Lulu and Fred Teece, was born in 1977 and grew up in Antarrengeny, Alyawarre country north of Utopia in Central Australia. She spent her childhood immersed in the rich cultural and natural environment of her community, frequently camping in the surrounding bushlands. These camping trips, where families gathered to explore and listen to the sounds of the bush, left a lasting impression on her. Despite the challenges of extreme temperatures, camping remains one of Selina's favorite pastimes. She especially enjoys sitting on sandhills, observing the flora and fauna and listening to the bush.

Raised in an environment rich with artists and a growing fascination with Utopia region art, Selina honed her artistic abilities from a young age through observing her mother and others around her painting their own stories. Selina’s artistic talent has evolved over the years, leading to a unique depiction of Spinifex using a fan brush to capture its movement. Her painting styles also feature gum blossoms, bush flowers and bush medicine, all inspired by the country around her.

During her early teen years, Selina attended Yirara College in Alice Springs, boarding there during school terms and returning to Antarrengeny for holidays. It was at Yirara College that she first encountered landscape style painting with watercolors, an experience she greatly enjoyed. Combining this newfound skill with her love of the bush, Selina developed a unique style of landscape painting that captures her country in all its different colors and seasons.

SP10586
30 x 30cm
$
350.00

$
SP10587
30 x 30cm
$
350.00

$
SP10588
30 x 30cm
$
350.00

$
MB062052
75 x 75cm
$
2,300.00

$
MB062030
60 x 60cm
$
1,750.00

$
MB062053
75 x 75cm
$
2,300.00

$
MB062027
45 x 45cm
$
895.00

$

Selina’s love for her country, Antarrengeny, is evident in her artwork. She enjoys depicting the scenes she sees while camping, translating these vivid images from her mind onto canvas. Her favorite color is magenta, inspired by the vibrant plants that bloom after the rains.

MB062050

60 x 30cm

695.00

Waterholes, known for their life-sustaining properties, are also a recurring theme in Selina's art. These waterholes have always been crucial for the Aboriginal people of Utopia, as water can be scarce. Good rains fill them up and ensure a plentiful supply; for drinking in the olden days and now for enjoyment, providing a place to swim under the hot summer sun.

MB061997

60 x 30cm

695.00

Spinifex and ant hills often feature prominently in Selina's landscapes. Ant hills, remarkable structures that can stand several feet tall, are primarily built by termite species such as the spinifex termite. These mounds house vast colonies and feature intricate networks of tunnels and chambers. Common sights in the outback landscape of Central Australia, these ant hills are significant to Aboriginal people, who have long observed their construction.

MB062028

45 x 45cm

895.00

MB062028

45 x 45cm

895.00

Spinifex, a resilient and distinctive grass native to Australia and particularly common in Selina's country, forms dense, clumping mounds and is well-adapted to the challenging conditions of the outback, including poor soils, extreme temperatures, and limited water availability. Spinifex plays a crucial ecological role by stabilizing sand dunes, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for various wildlife species. It is also culturally significant to Aboriginal people, who use it for making tools, shelter, and even food.

MB062090

90 x 90cm

3,950.00

The Australian Ghost Gum tree is famed for its smooth, white bark, which gives it a ghostly appearance, especially under moonlight. Ghost gums are native to arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the Northern Territory, including Selina's country, Antarrengeny. These strikingly beautiful trees, often included in Selina's works, are integral to the natural and cultural landscape of Australia.

Selina has been a frequent visitor to the gallery over the past few weeks, diligently working on her paintings. During her visits, she took the opportunity to engage in conversations with the gallery owner, Tim Jennings, discussing both her homeland and her artwork.

Currently, Selina is working on a large canvas depicting her country after a fire in 2023. She stores these scenes in her mind, later bringing them to life on canvas to share the beauty of her homeland with others.

Fire plays an important role in regenerating the outback, a practice rooted in Aboriginal culture. Fires trigger the germination of certain seeds and enrich the soil with nutrient rich ash. They also help to clear the underbrush, allowing native species to thrive, as well as helping to create diverse habitats and control pests and diseases.

Selina's artwork has been featured in numerous exhibitions, both locally in Alice Springs and across Australia, as well as internationally. Currently, her creations are on display at the Mparntwe Street Art Festival 2024, which showcases artworks on rollershutters throughout the CBD. Selina enjoys traveling across Australia to exhibit her work, though she always looks forward to returning home. While she has never travelled overseas, she hopes to do so one day.