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c. 1980
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ankerrapw, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Subjects:Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Country, Sand Hills, Imuna (Bush Food), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Women Collecting Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Akarley (Northern Wild Orange), Women Collecting Imuna (Bu
Thelma comes from a strong lineage of artists, supported and nurtured by Mbantua Gallery since she began painting in 1998. Her work is deeply influenced by her large extended family, reflecting their unique artistic style. Thelma's artistic approach is often inspired by the designs of Awelye, which represent women's ceremonies and body paint, particularly for the stories from her father's country, Ankerrapw.
Thelma has developed a distinctive fine dot style and enjoys experimenting with vibrant colors. Her paintings also depict women's stories related to collecting bush foods, a vital role in her culture. A notable story from her country that Thelma paints is Ntyemeny, the ruby saltbush, highlighting its significance in women's traditions.
Thelma is the daughter of artist Elsie Dixon Penangke and Walter Dixon Pwerle, a senior man from Ankerrapw. She has four sisters - Elizabeth, Dianne, Maureen, and Jilly - three of whom are also artists, and one brother, Henry Dixon, who is also an artist for Mbantua Gallery.
Thelma's Dreaming stories are all drawn from her father's country, Ankerrapw, and she continues to be influenced by these ancestral narratives in her artwork.
Thelma paints women collecting Bush Medicine. There are different types of bush medicine in the Central Desert. In the 'olden days' the leaves and the seeds of this plant were gathered, ground and mixed with animal fat (today a commercial oil is used) and it is then used as an ointment or boiled in water for medicinal use.
The women can be seen carrying with them their digging sticks which are typical instruments used for collecting many bush foods.