Charmaine Pwerle (Australian Aboriginal 1975) Biography

Introduction

Pwerle is recognised as a leading Australian indigenous artist from the younger generation of Anmatyerre artists in the Utopia region of the Northern Territory.

Pwerle pedigree comes from a family of well-listed and respected artists, including her mother Barbara Weir and grandmother Minnie Pwerle.

Pwerle paints the same stories “Women’s Ceremony” as her grandmother Minnie Pwerle; she has also studied under and been associated with some of the greatest indigenous artists at Utopia Station, including Gloria Petyarre and Australia’s finest Indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Another custodian of the story ‘Body Paint for Women’s Ceremony’ is Aunty Betty Club Mbitjana, who is also a member of a talented family.

Her “Awelye” has all the characteristics of her family dreaming and continues her exploration of the deeper meaning of her dreaming passed to her by her grandmother and mother. Pwerle is a third-generation artist, each generation taking the rite of passage to receive the sacred knowledge.

It is “personnel” to her. She was taught the sacred and significant Aboriginal iconography of her Dreaming stories, so transferring this intimate story to canvas; is the inspiration for her art.

Along with her well-established mother, Pwerle is one of the most sought-after Indigenous artists living and working today.

“Awelye” The Women’s Ceremony

The Women’s Ceremony iconography describes and passes on women’s essential cultural roles, including mythology, law, social and moral customs, rites, and ceremonies.

Before the ceremony, the women would paint each other’s breasts, chest area, shoulders, arms and thighs with ochre paint designs; the body designs are important and relate to each of the woman’s personnel story and beliefs.

The paint used is made up of ground orche (clay) mixed with charcoal and ash and applied with fingers and sticks to create the traditional linear motifs; the circle motifs depict the ceremonial sites and where the ceremonies occur.

Women wear body paint during these ceremonies to reveal the stories, describe the dancing tracks to be used and demonstrate respect for the country and community.

Pwerle is recognised both nationally and internationally, and her works have been acquired by major institutions such as the NGV:

Collections and Exhibitions

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awelye

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