The painting depicts Aboriginal iconography referring to Minnie Pwerle's homeland of Atnwengerrp, Utopia in Central Australia.

Significant symbols illustrated are:

• The U shape represents a woman
• The lines represent body markings
• The concentric circle represents a ceremonial site

Awelye refers to womens ceremonies and body paint. The Anmatyerre women anoint their upper body with oil and apply ochre markings, before dancing their ceremony.

If you would like to know more about Awelye and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles, or to view video footage of Aboriginal women applying body paint design: -

• Awelye (Womens Ceremony) Art
• Aboriginal Women
• Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert
• Tribute in Memory of Minnie Pwerle's Art

• Awelye (Body Paint) - Video of Aboriginal Women applying body paint design