Tanya Bird Mpetyane / Women’s Ceremony (TB34)

Tanya Bird Mpetyane is an Anmatyerre woman born in 1981, with deep ties to the Utopia region of the Northern Territory.

Tanya comes from a celebrated family of artists. Her mother, Eileen Bird, is a respected painter, and her late father, Paddy Bird, was a talented artist known for his contributions to the Utopia art movement. Tanya’s sister, Alvira Bird Mpetyane, is also an accomplished artist, and together they continue the family’s artistic legacy.

A strong early influence on Tanya’s artistic journey was her late grandmother, Ada Bird Petyarre — one of the most prominent painters to emerge from Utopia. Tanya was extremely close to her grandmother, often sitting with her as she painted and learning by watching, listening, and absorbing the stories Ada shared. This deep bond helped shape Tanya’s understanding of culture, Country, and the power of art as a form of storytelling and connection.

Tanya paints traditional Anmatyerre Dreamings passed down through generations. Her work depicts themes such as Awelye (Women’s Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail Plant), and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed). These stories celebrate women’s knowledge, connection to the land, and the seasonal harvesting of bush foods and medicines.

In 2013, Tanya was selected as a finalist in the 30th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin — a testament to the strength and cultural depth of her work.

Through her art, Tanya shares the richness of her heritage, translating ancient stories into contemporary works that reflect the enduring traditions of Utopia.

Tanya currently lives at Mulga Bore (Akaye Soakage), a small outstation in Utopia with her husband and children. Her artworks have been exhibited in group exhibitions and are held in private collections throughout Australia and internationally.

Tanya has painted a Women’s Dreaming story, combining her country with the bush tucker and waterholes that are imperative when the women go out bush for ceremony which can take up to a week.

The women conduct important ceremonies at these sites, including that of the Desert Yam (or Bush Plum) story from her family’s country.

The yam grows underground with its viny shrub growing above ground up to one metre high. It is normally found on Spinifex sand plains and produces large flowers after summer rain.

The yam is a tuber, or swollen root, of the shrub and tastes much like the common sweet potato. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is still a staple food for the desert aborigines where it can be harvested at any time of the year.

It is also renowned for its medicinal properties. This medicine is used to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent.

During ceremonies the women pay homage to the spirit of this special plant in the hope that it will regenerate.