1956
Language Group:Anmatyerre and Eastern Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Denipa Station, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Arlatyeye (Pencil Yam) Dreaming, Snake Dreaming
Eileen is an Eastern Arrernte woman. Her family (nee Webb) grew up at Harts Range where her brothers and sisters continue to live. Eileen was married to Paddy Bird (passed away in 2015), eldest son of well known Utopia artist, Ada Bird Petyarre. Eileen has eleven children and several grandchildren, many of whom paint for Mbantua Gallery also. Eileen has been painting for Mbantua Gallery since the mid 1990's.
Eileen paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Denipa Station.
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.
