My Country

Born:

1973

Language Group:

Anmatyerre

Country:

Alhalkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Medium:

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk

Subjects:

Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam) and Kame (Seed), Yam Flowers, My Country, Awelye (Women's Ceremony)

Janet Golder Kngwarreye was born in 1973 and is an Anmatyerre artist from Alhalkere Country in the Utopia region. She comes from a highly respected family of artists and has been painting since 1997, learning the traditions and stories of her Country through her family.

Janet is the daughter of Margaret Golder and Sammy Petyarre. Her grandparents include Old Henry Petyarre, the late Angelina Ngale and the late Polly Ngale, and her uncle was the late Greeny Purvis Petyarre. Her family connections have played an important role in the continuation of her artistic practice.

Working in acrylic on canvas and linen, as well as batik, Janet paints Atnwelarre and Kame (Pencil Yam and Seed), Yam Flowers, My Country and Awelye (Women's Ceremony). Her main story is Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam), a significant Dreaming connected to Alhalkere Country.

Janet is married to Ronnie Bird, son of the late Paddy Bird and Eileen Bird, and together they have four children. Through her artwork, she continues the strong family and cultural traditions of Utopia storytelling.