1974
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Mulga Bore and Bushy Park, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Wood Carving
Subjects:Atnyerlenge (Native Fuchsia), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Imuna (Bush Food)
Anna is daughter to June Bird and Johnny Tilmouth. She is also the granddaughter to well known Utopia artist Ada Bird Petyarre (deceased). Anna has grown up with a strong tradition of painting. She has accompanied her grandmother on trips to Melbourne and is showing a confidence in her own painting style, often experimenting with new designs.
In 2000 Anna spent time at Camel camp in the Utopia region where wood carving was once prolific. During this time Anna made some wood creations of her own.
Anna paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for the ancestral dreamtime stories which belong to her country, Mulga Bore and Bushy Park.
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.
