Biography:

Janet Golder Kngwarreye is an Anmatyerre artist from Mulga Bore on the Utopia Homelands. Her grandmothers are esteemed Utopia artists Polly Ngale and Angelina Pwerle and her uncle is Greeny Purvis.
This painting is titled “Awelye” Women’s Ceremonial Body Paint which recognizes women’s cultural practice on country. Aboriginal women are responsible for the collection of bush tucker incorporating seeds, plums, melons and other smaller items of food. Celebrations take place at camp which incorporate dancing, singing and then the women anoint their upper bodies with oil and apply ochre markings to signify thankfulness for the food gathered and to encourage the regrowth of vegetation across the land for future survival.