Feature Articles

"The sweet edible angkwerrpme berries change from green to shades of yellow, red and orange before finally a blue-ish purple (close to black) when it falls from the stem and is collected in bulk."

Born in 1947 on MacDonald Downs Station in Central Australia, Cowboy Loy Pwerle grew up mustering sheep and cattle and spent most of his life as a Stockman.

His name, Cowboy, is actually a name he took on in later years, reflecting his good standing in this field and revealing the depths of the passion he felt for this role.

Julie took a small metal instrument and a paint pot, and lay the small canvas over a smooth plank of wood. Leaning over the canvas, she dipped the instrument into the pot and began creating intricate strings of white dots from the centre of the canvas out.

Now Open. Lena celebrates our annual exhibition of paintings by Utopia elder Lena Pwerle. 

The exhibition showcases eighteen fresh, spirited Soakage paintings.

The desert yam is sacred to the people of Irrwelty in northern Utopia and can be found featured in paintings by Aboriginal people of this area. 

Maggie Bird Unearthed showcases a collection of symbolic dot paintings by Utopia artist Maggie Bird in what marks her first solo exhibition.

Born in 1973 as the eldest of 11 children, Maggie Bird grew up in the southern region of Utopia. Her country is Ilkawerne which spreads across this area and continues south toward Alice Springs, some 150km away. A small bright green plant called Alpar can be found abundantly here.

Alvira Bird has been working on a series of dot paintings in different sizes which are finally complete and now online.

Her works are heavily influenced by the symbolism and characteristics of three Dreamings that belong to her country. These are Alpar Seed Story, Akatyerre (desert tomatoes) and Ahakeye (bush plum).

"George didn't explain why 'not Ahalpere', which was a burning question of mine - Ahalpere sitting right in the middle of Utopia and in between Homestead and Ngkwarlerlanem countries. How does the Dreaming travel from Homestead to Ngkwarlerlanem I wondered."

This black and white piece by Betty Mbitjana beats to a different rhythm; one that quietly makes a statement, grounded in it's own space and confined to it's square boundaries. An uncommon and striking artwork.

"...a very high proportion [of his paintings] are rendered with the greatest integrity and intimate detail. The best of these are a pleasure to behold, and a privilege to possess."

"She remains an inspiring figure of the early Aboriginal contemporary art movement."

As a senior elder and matriarch of the Anmatyerre people, Ada Bird Petyarre was deeply respected for her cultural role and talent to be able to embed this in her artwork. 

Lost Legends showcases the extraordinary works of three Utopia Aboriginal artists, now passed, described as 'the founders of Utopia art' and among Aboriginal art's most respected leaders during the Aboriginal art boom of the 1990's.

Today there are very few paintings by these artists available for sale and they are becoming increasingly difficult to source.