1964
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Ngkwarlerlaneme and Arnkawenyerr, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk
Subjects:Ilyarnayt (Acacia Flower), Alhepalh (Acacia Shrub), Bird, Country, Camp Scene, Rainbow Dreaming, Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea), Ceremonial Man, Dog, Footballer
Lily Lion Kngwarreye was born in 1964 and is an Alyawarre artist connected to Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr Country in the Utopia region. She is part of a strong artistic community that has contributed significantly to the development of Utopia art.
Lily began her artistic journey through the Utopia batik movement and her work was included in the prestigious Robert Holmes à Court batik collection. She has since exhibited in numerous group exhibitions in Australia and internationally, including shows in Sydney, the United States, Dublin and Alice Springs.
Working across silk batik and acrylic on canvas and linen, Lily is known for her fine dot work and delicate brush techniques. Her paintings depict Country, Ilyarnayt (Acacia validinervia), Alhepalh (Acacia dictyophleba), Alpeyt (Flowers), Rainbow Dreaming (Boor-la-da), Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea) and Yerrampe (Honey Ant), reflecting her deep connection to the natural world and cultural stories of her Country.
All of Lily's Dreamtime stories belong to her country, Ngkwarlerlaneme and Arnkawenyerr. This painting is inspired by the Dreamtime story of the Ilyarn or Ilyarnayt, a rare and attractive plant growing throughout Central Australia.
This plant is particularly favoured for the abundance of edible grubs living in the roots, known simply as Ilyarnayt, and also its seeds (Ntang Ilyarnayt) which are collected, ground into a paste and used for making damper (bread).
