Emily Pwerle / Awelye Atnwengerrp (Body Paint)

A Utopia artist who started creating art in 2004 alongside her sisters Molly and Galya. Her bold, energetic works interpret Awelye, ceremony and shared Dreaming narratives in a distinctly individual style. When Minnie Pwerle passed away in March 2006, she left a legacy of artworks memorable for their amazing colour and flowing imagery.

Three of her sisters carried on the tradition of Minnie’s depiction of the art of Utopia, each with their own individual approach but all boldly displaying the same inspiration and zest for art and their culture and love of their country. Emily is one of eight children and was born in the Utopia Station region of the Northern Territory. At that time Minnie’s daughter, the well recognised artist Barbara Weir organised a number of workshops where her three aunts, Emily, Molly and Galya, worked collaboratively and individually to produce a series of artworks based on ceremony and their Dreaming narratives.