
SP10896
1982
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Waramungu, North of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Bush Medicine
Esther and her brother Preston were brought up by their grandmother Gloria Petyarre (deceased). On reaching school age, Esther attended Alekareng (Warrabri) School, living with her father's relatives during school term and living with Gloria during holiday periods in the Utopia Region. It was during her time spent in Utopia that she learned her skills as an artist, often assisting other family members with their paintings.
Esther began painting for herself when she was only 16 years old. The story for her paintings always centering on the women's stories. Esther's first paintings for Mbantua Gallery were in 1999.
Esther paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Waramungu.
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.