c. 1970's
Language Group:Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Angootuna, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ngkweyang (Kurrajong Seed), Imuna (Bush Food), Yerrampe (Honey Ant) Dreaming, Camping, Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food) and Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Women Collecting Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush),
Shirley Dixon Kemarre is an Arrernte artist connected to Angootuna Country in the Utopia region of Central Australia.
Shirley began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 1999 and grew up surrounded by art, language and cultural knowledge. The eldest of five Dixon sisters, she was raised in a family where painting and storytelling were an important part of everyday life. Her mother, Elsie Dixon, and many extended family members are respected artists, and Shirley continues this strong family tradition through her own work.
Speaking both Arrernte and Alyawarre, Shirley paints stories connected to both her father's and mother's Countries. Her acrylic paintings share important cultural subjects including Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Awelye (women's ceremony), bush foods, bush medicine, Yerrampe (Honey Ant) and Kwatye (Water) Dreaming.
Shirley lives with her family in the Utopia region, where she continues to paint and share the stories, traditions and knowledge passed down through generations. Her artwork reflects the deep connections between family, Country and culture.
Shirley paints women collecting Ntyemeny, known as the Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa). A soft greyish shrub with small flowers and bright red or yellow berries, the Ntyemeny is found in abundance around Alice Springs and throughout Central Australia in every habitat. The Aboriginal people would eat the Ntyemeny berries when ripe and juicy or reconstitute the dried berries in water.
Women, represented by 'U' motifs, can carry with them their digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls) which are typical instruments used for collecting many bush foods.
