1984
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail Plant) and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum) and Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant)
Alvira is the daughter of artists Paddy Bird (deceased) and Eileen Bird. She lives in Alice Springs and Mulga Bore with her husband and children. Her grandmother is the late Ada Bird Petyarre, a highly respected senior artist from Utopia.
Alvira paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum) and Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant).
The Ahakeye is a very important story for Alvira that belongs to her country, Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na). The ahakeye, called bush plum in English by Alvira, is also known as the native currant or citrus. This shrub produces small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves and the ahakeye, which are black when ripe and very small. This fruit is favoured for its sweet taste and can be reconstituted in water if dry.
Alpar, the rat-tail goosefoot or green crumbweed plant, is a small, erect herb that is sticky to touch and scented heavily of citrus. Growing especially well in Mulga tree communities, it is found in abundance in Alvira's home in the Utopia Region, north east of Alice Springs.
