Old Papunya Men & other works

1 AM 3914/06
Minnie Pwerle Aweyle 2004
Acrylic on linen 1000 x 1360mm $6500
‘Awelye’ (womens ceremony) is depicted by a bold linear pattern consisting of stripes and curves illustrating
women’s ceremonial body paint designs. The women smear their bodies with animal fat, and then paint these
designs onto their breasts, arms and thighs, while singing. Each woman takes her turn to be ‘painted up’ for
ceremony. Singing and chanting is an important part in the process of the ceremony and honors the story or
dreaming. ‘Awelye’ demonstrates respect for the land and in performing these ceremonies they reinforce the
strength of the dreaming and promote a sense of wellbeing and happiness amongst their communities and Minnies
country of Atnwengerrp.

Minnie Pwerle was born approx c1910 in the region of Utopia which is 290 kms north-east of Alice Springs. Her
language group is Alyawarre and Alyawarr and her country is Atnwengerrp. Minnie came from a large family,
consisting of five sisters, Margie, Molly, Emily, Lois, and Ally and two brothers called Louis and one other who
along with Minnies parents are now deceased. Minnie has six daughters, including Barbara Weir (a well known
artist) and a son.
Minnie began painting in 1999 when she was well into her 70’s. Her pieces proved to be bright, vibrant and free
flowing and captured the attention of prominent collectors. Minnie’s main Dreaming include ‘Awelye’, ‘Bush
Melon’ and ‘Bush Melon Seed’. Minnie has had many exhibitions and her work features in art collections. Minnie
and her children currently live at Utopia.