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Artwork Story
The Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) plant is the subject of Josie's painting. The Dreamtime stories surrounding this plant belongs to Alhalkere country in the Utopia Region, northeast of Alice Springs. The Atnwelarre is a trailing herb or creeper, sometimes covering large areas, with bright green leaves, yellow flowers and long skinny yams (swollen roots). These are an important food source which can be eaten raw or cooked in hot sand and ashes.
1959
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Alhalkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Wood Carving
Subjects:Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) and Kame (Seed), Kame (Pencil Yam Seed), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) and Anwekety (Conkerberry), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Atham-areny Story, Ceremonial Woman, Echidna, Emu Dreaming, Kangaroo, Owl
Josie was involved in the 1980's batik movement that established the women artists of Utopia. In 2005 she began painting for Mbantua Gallery and paints Dreamtime stories passed down to her from her father's country, Alhalkere, as well as colourful depictions of life at Utopia.
Josie's mother, renowned artist Polly Ngale, sisters and aunties are all Utopia artists and the years spent watching them provided inspiration to her. Like most members of her community, Josie speaks little English but is very enthusiastic about painting and sees it as a means of language and expression of her stories and culture.
Having lived in a number of communities within Utopia over the years, including Homestead, Boundary Bore and Apungalingum, Josie is no stranger to travel and has proudly travelled to Perth, Melbourne and Darwin for her artwork. Josie continues to live out in Utopia with her husband, Dinny Kunoth Kemarre, their children and their extended family.
Location: Mbantua Alice Gallery
