Bessie Petyarre (Pitjara)

DOB: c.1960
LANGUAGE ALYAWARRE
REGION UTOPIA, NORTHERN TERRITORY

About Artist:
Bessie Pitjara was born circa 1960 in Alhalkere country. She currently lives in Utopia with her mother, who is the renowned artist Polly Ngale. Bessie is also the niece of Kathleen Ngale and Angeline Pwerle Ngale, both of whom are established and highly collectible artists.

Like many other Utopia women, Bessie began experimenting with batik after it became a popular source of income in the late 1970s. When the option of acrylic on canvas was introduced in the late 1980s, Bessie adopted it and her work thrived. Bessie was taught to paint by her mother, with whom she shares the Bush Plum Dreaming. The Bush Plum is significant as it is a major source of food for Bush Women, with ripened fruit still being gathered today. Using a topographical technique, Bessie indicates the growth patterns of the Bush Plum on her country. By building up layers of colour, Bessie is able to reflect varying seasonal colour tones and create a shimmering, vibrant effect.