MB059179
Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming MB059179-Elizabeth Mpetyane
Elizabeth Mpetyane
EUR €1,073.63
c. 1980
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ahalpere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Bird, Painted Dancer
Elizabeth Mpetyane was born around 1980 and is an Anmatyerre artist from Ahalpere Country in the Utopia region. She began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 2006, continuing the strong artistic traditions of her family.
Elizabeth's father is the late Motorbike Paddy, who also painted the Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming story, and her mother is the late renowned artist Kathleen Ngale. Encouraged by her female family members to take up painting, Elizabeth shares stories that have been passed down through generations.
Working in acrylic on canvas, Elizabeth uses detailed dot work to represent Ahakeye (Bush Plum) and Awelye (Women's Ceremony) stories. Her paintings reflect the cultural knowledge, traditions and connection to Country that continue to be an important part of her life in the Utopia region.
Elizabeth continues to participate in traditional cultural practices and ceremonies that maintain and celebrate the Dreamtime stories connected to bush plum.
Elizabeth paints the story of the Ahakeye. This a very important story for Elizabeth that belongs to her country, Ahalpere. The ahakeye, called bush plum in English by Elizabeth, 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.
MB059179