Emily Pwerle Biography

Born circa 1922, Utopia NT

Emily Pwerle (pronounced Pooh-la, also spelt Apwerl, Pwerl, Pula), is an Aboriginal artist from Utopia in the Northern Territory of Australia. She comes from a strong artistic background, as the Pwerle sisters and extended family, have achieved considerable fame for their unique depictions of country. Emily Pwerle was born in around 1922 in Atnwengerrp, a significant place at Utopia station in Central Australia. Many members of Emily’s extended family are artists: Barbara Weir, Aileen and Betty Mpetyane, and her older sister, the late Minnie Pwerle.  Emily has lived in her community for her entire life with very little exposure to Western culture. It was not until her early 80’s that she started to paint on canvas, encouraged by her sister Minnie. To translate her traditional knowledge and experience in the form of Dreamings, she started painting alongside family and instantly showed confidence and ability. Emily developed her artistic practice during the frequent workshops at the Irrultja station organised by Barbara Weir. During these workshops, all artists, including Minnie, would come together and work on many individual, as well as collaborative canvases. Emily paints Dreamings, that have been passed down from generation to generation. To Emily, her artworks are spiritually and culturally charged; they pay homage to her ancestors and her land. To art lovers, the works are filled with moving linear patterns in dense patches creating a stunning patchwork of colour.  Since the start of her artistic career, Emily’s artworks have been exhibited and represented in several art galleries across Australia as well as in the USA and Europe.  Technique and StyleEmily’s skilful energy and contemporary style are on par with the best contemporary female Aboriginal artists. In her work, she develops expressions of her family’s Dreamings, that have been passed down for generations. ‘Awelye Atnwengerrp’ is a common motif in art from the women of Utopia. Emily also paintsthe Dancing Tracks off ceremony. It is depicted by a series of lines and symbols and crisscrossed patterns that are layered across the canvas creating a vibrant explosive mass of colour. The patterns represent the designs painted on women’s bodies during bush tucker ceremonies using ochre, charcoal and ash. Another Dreaming depicted in Emily’s works is the circular shape of a Bush Tomato (Solanum Chippendale), whose name in Alyawarr in Emily’s native language. She chooses this motif as it is an important food source for Anmatyerre people.  The depth and linear complexity of Emily’s works are achieved by the generous layering of iconography and pattern. She overlaps the symbols until a web of lines and shapes is formed. Emily Pwerle has developed her own contemporary style, which is proving to be as prolific and energetic as her sisters’. Looking at her paintings is a unique experience. Their large-scale format and dynamic repetition of motives create a hypnotic feeling of the painting incessantly shifting in a wave-like motion.  Why collect?Emily’s artworks are an attainable option for the supporters of the style of the Pwerle artistic family. The artist brings her own style to the ‘Awelye Atnwengerrp’ and truly makes it her own. Her paintings come in a vast array of colours and sizes, and are can be paired with just about any interior. 

• 2005    Permanent exhibition and  collection, DACOU Australia, Rosewater, SA.
• 2005    Group exhibition, Mbantua  Gallery, Alice Springs, NT. 
• 2006    Group Exhibition, ‘The Pwerle Sisters,’ Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC. 
• 2006    Group exhibition, APS Bendi Lango Art Exhibition, Rio Tinto Offices, Melbourne, VIC. 
• 06/07   Group exhibition, Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD.
• 2007    ‘Utopia in New York’ Robert Steele Gallery, New York. USA.
• 2007    Group Exhibition, Australian Embassy, Washington, USA.
• 2007    “New Works from Utopia”, Space Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
• 2008    “Utopia Collection”, Japinka Gallery, Perth, WA
• 2008    “Utopia Discoveries”, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC.
• 2008    Group travelling exhibition to major cities in Australia, “EWB Elements”, presented by Dreamtime Art in conjunction with DACOU.
• 2009    “Utopia, Color’s of the Desert”, Gongpyeong Art Space in conjunction with DACOU, Australian Embassy in Korea & Crossbay Gallery, Seoul, Korea.
• 2009    Utopia group exhibition, 
• DACOU Broome, Broome, WA.
• 2009    Group Exhibition, Gallery Savah, Sydney, NSW.
• 2009    “Body Markings”, solo exhibition, DACOU Gallery Melbourne, Middle Park, VIC.
• 2010    Solo Exhibition, Gallery Savah, Sydney, NSW.
• 2010    “The Pwerle Sisters” Group Exhibition DACOU Australia, Melbourne VIC.