Awelye by Lulu Teece Petyarre
Title: Awelye
ID: 0841064
Artist: Lulu Teece Petyarre
Medium: Acrylic on Belgian Linen
Size: 141x121 cm
The Aboriginal iconography depicted in the beautiful artwork relates to Awelye 
. It refers specifically to the designs applied to a women's body as part of a ceremony.
Awelye is performed by Aboriginal women from Utopia to recall their ancestors, to show respect for their country and to demonstrate their responsibility for the well-being of their community.
Since it reflects women's role as the nurturer the awelye makes connections with the fertility of the land and a celebration of the aboriginal food it provides. It is women's business and is never done in the presence of men.
The awelye ceremony begins with the women painting each others' bodies in designs relating to a particular women's Dreaming and in accordance with their skin name and tribal hierarchy. The awelye designs represent a range of Dreamings including animals and plants, healing and law.
The designs are painted on the chest and shoulders using powders ground from ochre, charcoal and ash. It is applied with a flat stick with padding or with fingers in raw linear and curved lines. This is a meditative and sensual experience.
The act of decorating the body transforms the individual and changes their identity. During the painting which can take up to three hours, the women chant their Dreaming. The final part of the ceremony is when the women dance and chant.
If you would like to know more about Awelye and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles:
An Australian Aboriginal artwork should always be issued with a Certificate of Provenance, also known as a Certificate of Authenticity. This document contains vital information on the artist, as well as details about the artwork itself. When selling on an artwork, please ensure that this document is passed on. Authenticity of Provenance means that the origin or authorship of a work of art has been correctly identified.
Central Art follows a well defined provenance and authenticity process to ensure that we are an exemplar in our business practice . Careful and detailed documentation follows – each work is given a catalogue number, inscribed on the back of the artwork with the Central Art stamped logo, the artist's signature and the title of the work.
Printed on the Certificate of Provenance is a copyright acknowledgement that reads as follows:
This work is copyright. The copyright is owned by the Artist and his/her people. This painting may not be reproduced in part, in whole, or in any other form without the permission of the Artist or his/her inheritors clearly in writing, with all knowledge prior to final proof to the family concerned – then only when clearance has been approved.
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