Emily Pwerle

Emily Pwerle is the sister of famous Utopian Aboriginal artist Minnie Pwerle. Emily was born at Utopia station in approximately 1922. She leds a traditional Aboriginal lifestyle and has remained on her home community lands for the majority of her life. Her country is Atnwengerrp, a significant place at Utopia in Central Australia. As a young woman Emily had little exposure to Western culture and thus has a wealth of traditional knowledge and experience to draw on to produce her beautiful and awe inspiring artworks.

Like many Aboriginal artists from this generation, Emily did not begin to paint (in a modern sense on canvas) until her early 80’s. It was at the encouragement of her sister Minnie that Emily began to depict her Dreamings with acrylics and canvas. In 2004, Barbara Weir, Minnie Pwerle’s daughter, and acclaimed Aboriginal artist herself, organised a workshop for the sisters, it has held at Irrultja Station (the family group’s home station). It was the start of producing an amazing body of works by the sisters – Molly, Emily, Minnie and Gayla Pwerle. I (Sabine Haider, Director of Central Art) have loved meeting and getting to know some of the Pwerle sisters, and am extremely privileged to have artwork by Molly, Emily, Minnie and Galya Pwerle – The Pwerle Sisters.

Emily instantly had the confidence to apply paint onto canvas and develop unique and individual styles and expressions of her Dreamings. Emily applies many layers of acrylic paint in linear brush strokes which create a dense pattern of colour. To Emily, her artworks are spiritually and culturally relevant; they pay homage to her ancestors and the land. To art lovers, the works are filled with moving colour in dense patches over the canvas creating a stunning and aesthetically beautiful patchwork.

Emily’s artworks are titled “Awelye Atnwengerrp” and encompass three specific Dreamings. The first are the Dancing Tracks, these are the specific travels that women take during ceremonial times. The second is Awelye, which is a general term which is also referred to as women’s business and includes all the ceremonies, rituals, knowledge that is owned by women only. It also represents the body paint designs which are painted onto the women’s upper bodies, arms and breasts for ceremonial purposes. Traditionally ochre rocks were used as a natural paint for ceremonies. The final Dreaming depicted in Emily’s works is the Bush Tomato. Emily incorporates this as it is an important food source for Anmatyerre people. These Dreamings have been passed down from generation to generation and this practice of sharing the Dreamings continues today.

Since her commencement as an artist, Emily’s artworks have been exhibited and represented in several art galleries across Australia as well as in the USA and Europe. DACOU Gallery in Melbourne, developed and owned by her great nephew, held her first solo exhibition titled “Body Markings” in 2009. Her skilful energy and contemporary unique style hold her in good stead with some of the best contemporary female Aboriginal artists. Within her own extended family group are many talented and acclaimed artists not only including her three sisters, but also Barbara Weir, Aileen Mbitjana and Betty Mpetyane.

Emily’s artworks are quite affordable and are a good option if you love the work of Minnie Pwerle but cannot afford her artworks. Emily brings her own style to “Awelye Atnwengerrp” and makes it her own. Central Art has some amazing pieces in an array of colours and sizes to suit any room. Certainly an artist worth considering!