
MB053426
![]() | Born: Unknown Language Group: Anmatyerre Country: Ankerrapw, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs Medium: Acrylic on Canvas and Linen Subjects: Ntyemeny (Ruby Saltbush), Country, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Bush Food, Bush Medicine |
Maureen's first paintings for Mbantua Gallery were in September 2000. She comes from a large family of artists where she is the daughter of artist Elsie Dixon Penangke and senior man of Ankerrapw, Walter Dixon Pwerle. Her style reflects the unique works of the Dixon family.
Having had the advantage of an Aboriginal education as well as a European education, Maureen has worked as a teachers aid at Mulga Bore School in the Utopia Region, Central Australia. She has four sisters, Thelma, Elizabeth, Dianne and Jilly, all of whom paint, and one brother, Henry Dixon, also an artist for Mbantua Gallery.
Maureen's artistic style is more commonly influenced by the designs of her Awelye – women's ceremony and body paint, for the stories belonging to her father's country, Ankerrapw.
Collections
Mbantua Gallery Permanent Collection, Alice Springs
Exhibitions
2000 | Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia |
Maureen paints beautiful fine dot work that represents 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 through out Central Australia in every habitat. The Aboriginal people would eat the ntyemeny berries when ripe and juicy or reconstitute the dried berries in water. This is not habitual though and is eaten mainly by the children.
There is a Dreamtime story that belongs to the ntyemeny for Maureen and the people of Ankerrapw country. Ceremonies are performed to demonstrate respect for this story and maintain the existence of the ntyemeny plant.
Women, represented by the 'U' motifs, are shown collecting Ntyemeny. They carry with them their digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls) which are typical instruments used for collecting many bush foods.