The world seems a little less bright after learning of the passing of the incomparable Ms G.Petyarre on 8 June 2021. She was one of Australia’s most successful and significant female artists and this news is a great loss to the art world and those people who knew her personally or through her paintings.

So how did a woman raised in a remote part of the Eastern Desert and instructed in Anmatyerre law and traditions capture the hearts of art lovers around the world? Petyarre participated in the first art programs organized at Utopia in 1977.

The batik-making workshops marked the emergence of Aboriginal women artists, and from the outset Petyarre’s richly colourful works were informed by the natural shapes and patterns of local leaves, flowers, seeds and grasses. They reflected the daily interaction of desert women with their environment.

When acrylic paints and canvas were introduced in the 1980’s her talent was immediately apparent. Working alongside Emily Kame Kngwarreye and inspired by the older woman’s groundbreaking success and brave, expressive abstraction, Gloria excitedly began to experiment and freely. She tapped into her own experiences to produce a confident and distinctive style.

In 1999, Petyarre burst onto the Australian art scene in a big way when she won the prestigious Wynne Prize for Landscape. She was the first Indigenous Australian to win a major non-Indigenous art prize, cementing her name in art history.

Gloria continued to become a worldwide success with her unique subject matter and remarkable ability to depict her ancient dreaming stories in a highly contemporary and expressive manner. Her depiction of the Kurrajong bush medicine leaves—with her layered, free-flowing, swirling brushstrokes that scatter across the canvas—became her iconic motif.

An artist of great versatility, Petyarre experimented with her iconic subject matter, producing what is known as her ‘Big Leaf’ paintings, as well as her Thorny Mountain Devil Lizard, Yam and Grass Seed Dreaming.

To watch Petyarre paint was a pleasure and a priveldge. Her tangible excitement resulted in artworks that are pulsating with life. She could be heard singing the old songs; Awelye, little lizard. Her brush seemed to move to the rhythm of her songs.

Patyarre was selected as a Wynne Prize finalist four more times, and her work was featured numerous times in the “Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Award”.  She has travelled internationally with her work to Europe, America and Asia. She is held in major collections both nationally and internationally.

Her list of artistic achievements is immense and her gift as an artist has touched many people - but it was her personal presence that left the greatest impact. She took great pleasure in travelling with her art to many countries, participating in significant exhibitions and projects. The delight she took in meeting new people, unreservedly sharing the stories and songs of her Country are some of our most cherished memories of her.

Whilst we are feeling the loss of our dear friend, our hearts are also aching for Ms Petyarre’s large extended family (many of whom we also represent at the gallery) who are experiencing immeasurable grief..

She was a woman of immesurable generosity. Her beauty truly radiated from the inside out and manifested itself in her stunning artworks that are cherished by people around the world.

During this sad time, it does give us comfort to know that her beautiful spirit will continue to radiate through her canvases.

Travel safely home to Anmatyerre Country. You will be dearly missed.

 

Not the man or woman of your dreams, but the perfect artwork for your home or office!

With over 2,000 artworks here at the gallery, the process of finding 'the one' may seem daunting - but we've asked our amazing art consultants (who have over 50 years experience in art consultancy combined!) what are the key signs they know their clients have found their perfect artwork. 

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 If you compare every other possible artwork to it, chances are you've found the one!

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What if I said I had another client who wanted to purchase the artwork today - how would you feel? If you wouldn't be that bothered, maybe it isn't the one for you..

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Daniel Goldshaft, Senior Art Consultant

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This is why I love our home trial service! You can learn a lot about your taste this way. Like music, some art takes time to get to know. Sometimes the best art reveals itself slowly.... at the end of the home trial period, are you still admiring the artwork and finding wonderful new details you didn't notice before? Or perhaps you already can't imagine the space without it!  

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If you're  emotionally invested in a couple of artworks and can't decide, sometimes it's good to refer back to the key guidelines you had when you first started looking for a piece of art; did you have a particular size in mind? Did you want the space to have a certain 'feel'? Or do you want an artwork that is bold, vibrant or quiet? If the artwork ticks all the boxes, then bingo! you've found it!

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Some couples have such different styles and aesthetics, just finding ONE artwork that you both agree is beautiful is an amazing feat (I've had some clients that have had to wait 12 months for this moment to happen!) When that moment does happen - snap up the artwork pronto to avoid disappointment!

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I always say 'go with your gut' even if you don't know how it will work with other pieces in your house...If you always follow your instincts you'll find over time your own unique aesthetic shines through, and you'll have a home full of treasured  pieces that each hold a special story for you.

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     I think buying a piece of art should be a pleasurable, fun experience. If you feel like you need to make a quick decision as you feel the need for closure, or you have a pressing deadline, it might be best to place the artwork on hold for 24 hours, or take it on a home trial. We want you to be 100% happy with your selection.

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It can get very busy on the weekends in the gallery, so come prepared if you can, know the size that you require and, if possible, bring photos on your phone of the space.

 Remember it’s not always about the look of the painting in isolation, but how it will influence your space. Let our experienced staff guide you.

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Surrey Webb, Senior Art Consultant

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If you're new to the concept of buying art, then sign up to our mailing list and come along to our exhibitions! You’ll soon discover the myriad of different styles of art that are out there. The more you’re able see and experience, the more you’ll discover the works that pull at your heart. See if you can time your visit with one of our artist in residence programs. Learning the process, techniques and concepts behind a piece can give you a whole new perspective on what it means and how it makes you feel. Take notes on the types of works that speak to you the most – is there a particular style, medium or theme that you seem attracted to consistently?

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  Just remember, you’re the one who will be admiring this piece on your wall, day in and day out. While we can direct you towards a particular artist you might like, when it comes to choosing something for your home, it’s entirely personal. You don’t want to spend the big dollars on a piece that you tire of within a year! Your friends and our art consultants may have lots of experience and knowledge about an artists’ standing in the market, but they don’t know your home or your personal preferences. Trust yourself.

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Your taste is always growing and evolving. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You may find that as time passes, you’ll be drawn into different styles, colours and genres – but that’s just part of the fun! Keep an open mind when visiting the gallery and you might surprise yourself with how diverse your art taste really is. There are no boundaries and the only person you need to please is yourself – so let yourself fly free! 

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If you find an artwork that you can’t stop thinking about, chances are it’s meant to be in your life.

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Kirby Olave, Indigenous Art Consultant

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 Related Topics:

• About our Art Collection
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Browse Artworks by Price Range

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Our Karen Napaljarri Barnes show is proving to be popular with visitors young and old. Her depictions of Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming) and the birds and animals that live around Yuendumu have such a great charm and presence that they really do stop you in your tracks.

Upstairs visitors can enjoy a salon hang of Karen’s latest body of work simply bursting with colour. Large statement pieces and more affordable smaller works makes it a lively, dynamic show with something for everyone.

Karen is one of Warlukurlangu’s exciting next generation of artists. She caught the attention of the art world some years ago when she showcased her depictions of Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming) – using a naïve portrayal of the birds and a very abstract representation of the landscape, favouring bold and contrasting colours. In recent years, Karen has extended her repertoire and has taken great delight in depicting the animals that live around Yuendumu (scroll down for a beautiful selection of her muses, courtesy of Warlukurlangu Artists of Yuendumu!).

Karen’s distinctive style extends an existing Warlukurlangu reputation for innovative and expressive use of bold colour, of which her grandmother, the great Judy Napangardi Watson, was one of the trailblazers. In fact, when Karen first started painting for Warlukurlangu, you would find Karen sitting next to her grandmother, who would not only encourage her to paint but teach her all the important cultural stories and traditions.

This really is a delightful show and the KOG Crew just love seeing visitors to the gallery meet Karen’s quizzical critters, discover their unique charm and personality, and leave with a smile.

 
Some beautiful images of Karen and her muses. All images © Warlukurangu Artists of Yuendumu

Related Links:

• Exhibition Catalogue: Quizzical Critters | Karen Napaljarri Barnes Solo Show
• The Stories of Karen Napaljarri Barnes
• Karen Napaljarri Barnes Artist Biography

On display in the charcoal gallery. Can't visit the gallery? View our online exhibition here.

 
click on image above to view the exhibition catalogue

Polly Ngale is one of the most senior custodians of her country Ahalpere, in the heart of Utopia, located in the north west corner of the Simpson desert and roughly 350km north east of Alice Springs, along the Sandover Highway.

Polly in considered one of the most accomplished painters from the Utopia region and is inspired by the Arnwetky (conkerberry) – a green tangled, spiny shrub that produces fragrant white flowers. After the summer rains tiny green berries begin to grow and ripen, changing colour over the weeks from light green to pinks and browns to yellow, to shades of red and purple when they finally ripen. The fruits very much resemble a plum and is often referred to in English by Polly as a ‘bush plum’. The Arnwetky is a popular variety of bush tucker for the people of Utopia, as well as possessing medicinal properties.

During the Dreamtime, winds came from all directions, carrying the Arnwetky seed all over Polly’s ancestors’ Anmatyerre land. To ensure the continued fruiting of the Arnwetky, the Anmatyerre people pay homage to the spirit of the bush plum by recreating it in their ceremonies through song and dance, and in recent years, through painting. The patterns in the paintings can represent the fruit of the plant, its leaves and flowers, and also the body paint designs that are associated with it during ceremony.

For Anmatyerre women, the bush plum is a source of physical and spiritual sustenance - reminding them of the sacredness of Ahalpere country. Its story is crucial to Anmatyerre women's ceremonies.

Polly’s depictions of Arnwetky are the accumulation of a lifetime's knowledge about the country that she loves and feels a personal responsibility to care for. The power of the art resonates across geographical, botanical and spiritual dimensions.

In recent years, Polly has undergone a renaissance in her work - by all accounts producing some of the finest paintings of her career to date.

Kate Owen Gallery is delighted to present Polly Ngale’s new body of work, which showcases her exuberant and masterful depiction of Arnwetky .

Read More:

Polly Ngale's Bush Plum