MB061878
Women Collecting Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush) MB061878-Shirley Dixon Kemarre
Shirley Dixon Kemarre
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c. 1970's
Language Group:Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Angootuna, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ngkweyang (Kurrajong Seed), Imuna (Bush Food), Yerrampe (Honey Ant) Dreaming, Camping, Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food) and Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Women Collecting Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush),
Shirley began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 1999, following in the footsteps of her mother, Elsie Dixon, and many talented members of her extended family who are skilled dot painters. Raised at Alcoota, Shirley is the eldest of five sisters: Thelma, Elizabeth, Maureen and Dianne Dixon.
Shirley paints the stories passed down from both her father's and mother's countries. Like her mother, she speaks the Arrernte language, but she is also fluent in Alyawarre. She was married to George Club Petyarre (deceased), the son of Lena Pwerle, and together they have two sons.
Shirley paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for Ngkweyang, the seed of the Apeng (Desert Kurrajong) tree. There is an ancient Dreamtime story belonging to the ngkweyang which lies in the heart of Alyawarre land in Shirley's country, Angootuna, northeast of Alice Springs. Ngkweyang is an important and nutritious food source. Not a habitual practice now, the Aboriginal people would collect these seeds, burn them to remove small hairs, and grind them into a paste for making damper (bread).
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.
MB061878