Minnie Pwerle

Minnie Pwerle was born around 1910-2006 at Utopia Station in the Australian central desert on the banks of the Sandover River, 350 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs. Her country was Atnwengerrp, (pronounced a-NOONG-a-pa), and her languages Anmatyerre and Alyawarr, languages from an area of Central Australia 250 km northeast of Alice Springs. Minnie was one of six children and went on to become the mother of seven children Aileen, Betty, Raymond and Dora Mpetyane (two other daughters passed away and are not spoken of) including International artist Barbara Weir. She was married to Jim Motorcar and together they had six children. Barbara Weir born in 1945, was taken away at the age of 9 but they were both reunited in the late 1960’s. For many years Minnie detached herself from Barbara. Sorry business had been done for her many years before and it was hard for Minnie to welcome a stranger claiming to be her daughter. Their lives were so different But it was Barbara who encouraged Minnie to paint in the later years of her life. Barbara, being an established artist herself, gave Minnie some canvas and paints while she waited for Barbara to finish painting at a workshop in Adelaide. Minnie painted what she has always painted – the body paint designs (awely) that belonged to her country, Atnwengerrp. The traditional colours of this country are red ochre and white; however Minnie was excited by the vast amount of colours in front of her and never looked back.
Minnie also painted the Dreamtime story of the Anemangkerr (Bush Melon) and also of the Akarley, which may be represented in her paintings by ‘a-lube-eh-ditch’ loops. Her works are very bold and free flowing and immediately capture the attention of art lovers. Having never been taught art by way of European methods, nor having visited museums and contemporary art galleries, Minnie was one of Australia’s top female contemporary Indigenous artists. Her paintings are loved for being so modern in style and yet so traditional and raw in subject. Minnie Pwerle work contains a compelling visual and spiritual power, convening her deep connection with the land, clearly evident in all her paintings. Minnie Pwerle used linear brush-work based on the body painting used for important women’s ceremonies in her native country of Atnwengerrp.
Minnie made a bold, swift and unexpected entry into the European world of Australia in 2000 through painting.
Minnie paintings are held in lots of overseas institutional and private collections as well as the major art galleries in Australia. Minnie’s work has been highly sought after by art international and Australian collectors.
Minnie passed away on 18th March 2006 at her home in Atnwengerrp. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and siblings Margie, Molly, Emily, Geyla, Lois, Ally and Louie.

AWARDS

2001 the 18th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Minnie Pwerle entered
2002 first selected to exhibit in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award
2003 Exhibited National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Awelye Atnwengerrp
The artist’s price $44,000 was the second-highest in the exhibition and the highest for an artist from the central and western deserts.
2005 Exhibited National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award competition Awelye Atnwengerrp no.2

2004 recognised one of Australia’s 50 most collectible artists Minnie by Australian Art Collector
2015
Minnie Pwerle Awelye Atnwengerrp MP0635 masterwork was selected by the Department of Education, Queensland Government for the Australian National Curriculum, with the acknowledgments to the artist Pwerle Estate’s representative, the AAA © Estate of the artist licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited and credits to Galeria Aniela art gallery

COLLECTIONS

Art Gallery of South Australia (Adelaide)
Queensland Art Gallery (Brisbane)
National Gallery of Australia (Canberra)
Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory (Darwin)
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Bank Sydney
National Gallery of Victoria
Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne)
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Homes a Court Gallery and gallery Collection
Kelton Foundation USA
Kreglinger Collection
John McBride Collection
Ebes Collection
Fred Torres Collection
Museum of Victoria
National Museum Australia
Kreglinger Collection
Thomas Vroom Collection Holland
John McBride Collection
Fred Torres Collection
Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne
AMP Collection Melbourne
Australian Heritage Commission, Canberra

Exhibitions

2009 Indigenous Australian painting at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
2006 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Savah, Brisbane
2005 Utopia Revealed Japingka Gallery, Fremantle
2004 Diva’s of the Desert, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs
2003 Art from the Dreamtime, Portland Art Museum
2003 Alice Springs
2003 Minnie Pwerle Pwerle & Mitjili Napurrula Japingka Gallery, Fremantle
2003 Art and Soul Gallery, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
2003 Minnie Pwerle Pwerle: Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art, Melbourne
2002 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Savah, Sydney
2002 United – Mother and Daughter”, Alison Kelly Gallery, Victoria
2002 New York City, UTSA
2001 Out of Utopia, Canberra
2001 San Anselmo, Marin County California, USA.
2001 Small Stories Perth WA
2001 Desert Colour – My Country, Darwin, Northern Territory Painting Country, Tandanya, Adelaide
2001 Women Artists of the Australian Desert, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 Out of Utopia, Canberra
2001 San Anselmo, Marin County California, USA.
2001 Small Stories Perth WA
2001 Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
2000 Minnie Pwerle Pwerle Sydney, Melbourne & Alice Springs
2000 DACOU in association with AMP, AMP building, Sydney.
2000 Gallery Savah, Sydney
2000 Minnie Pwerle Pwerle Sydney, Melbourne & Alice Springs
2000 DACOU in association with AMP, AMP building, Sydney.
2000 Gallery Savah, Sydney