1957
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Arawerre (Soapy Bore), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk and Cotton
Subjects:Sugarbag (Native Honey), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Women's Story, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Sugarbag (Native Honey)
Jessie Hunter Petyarre was born in 1957 and is an Alyawarre artist connected to Arawerre (Soapy Bore) Country in the Utopia region. She was part of the important Utopia Women's Batik Group, a movement that helped establish the recognition of Utopia women artists nationally and internationally.
Jessie's early batik works were included in Utopia - A Picture Story, a project initiated by CAAMA in the late 1980s, and she has also participated in numerous group exhibitions. She began painting on canvas during the late 1980s, continuing her artistic practice across both mediums.
Coming from a family of respected artists, Jessie is the daughter of the late Molly Pwerle and sister to Annie, Susan and Sandy Hunter (deceased), who are also accomplished artists. Their refined style is characterised by detailed dot work that reflects their stories and connections to Arawerre Country, as well as stories from Atnwengerrp and Irrweltye.
Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, as well as batik on silk and cotton, Jessie paints Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Sugar Bag (Native Honey) and women's stories connected to her cultural heritage.
Jessie paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for Sugarbag. Sugarbag is the bush honey of Australian native bees. Bush honey can be found in the trees in her country.
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.
