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1972
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Adelaide Bore (Woola Downs), North of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Acrylic on Artefacts
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Imuna (Bush Food), Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food)
Tanya, along with her older sister Gracie, has been painting for Mbantua Gallery since 1998. Her style is highly refined, with intricate dot work that depicts women's ceremonies and the gathering of bush foods. All of her designs are deeply connected to the stories of her father's country.
Tanya paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Adelaide Bore (Woola Downs).
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.