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1965
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ahalpere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:My Mother's Awelye (Women's Ceremony) Story, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony)
Dora began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 2003. She paints the story of the Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming and the Bush Berry Dreaming, as well as her mother's story, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), as does her sister, Betty Mpetyane - a well-known and respected artist from the Utopia region. Dora is the daughter of Minnie Pwerle and has four children herself.
Initially Dora worked in the medium of batik along with over eighty other women from the Utopia Region in Central Australia. Her work in batik is featured in "Utopia - A Picture Story".
Barbara Weir is Dora's older sister. With the influences of Barbara, Betty and Minnie, Dora will undoubtedly share her artistic influences for many years to come.
Dora paints the Awelye (Women's Ceremonial Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories of the Anemangkerr (Bush Melon or Tomato) which belong to her mother's country, Atnwengerrp, in the Utopia Region. Dora inherited the permission to paint this design by her mother, renowned Aboriginal artist Minnie Pwerle (deceased).
Linear designs represent Awelye. These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women sing the songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be 'painted-up'. Women perform Awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.
