Ilyarnayt (Acacia Flower)

Audrey Morton Kngwarreye

1952

Alyawarre

Ngkwarlerlaneme and Arnkawenyerr, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk

Ilyarnayt (Acacia Flower), Country, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Alpite (Wild Flowers), Yerrampe (Honey Ant) Dreaming, Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea)

Audrey Morton Kngwarreye was born in 1952 and is an Alyawarre woman from the Utopia region of Central Australia. Her Countries are Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr, and she is the daughter of fellow Utopia artist Mary Morton Kemarre. Her sisters, Lucky, Sarah and Ruby Morton, are also recognised artists within the Aboriginal art industry.

Alongside her mother and sisters, Audrey participated in batik workshops held in Utopia between 1977 and 1987, developing her skills and contributing to the early history of the Utopia art movement. Her work has been represented in the Holmes à Court Collection, which has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally.

Audrey paints a variety of important stories from her Countries, including Ilyarnayt (Acacia validinervia), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Alpeyt (Wild Flowers), Rainbow Dreaming (Boor-la-da), Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea), and Yerrampe (Honey Ant). She also paints ceremonial body paint designs connected to Ngkwarlerlanem, Arnkawenyerr and her mother's Country, Antarrengeny.

Working with acrylics on both canvas and linen, Audrey continues to share the stories and cultural knowledge of her Country through her artwork. Her paintings reflect the deep connection she holds to family, ceremony and the landscapes that have shaped her life.