Galya Pwerle

Galya grew up in a time when hunting game and collecting seeds were daily rituals, and women's ceremonies, called Awelye, were more regular than they are now. Her paintings incorporate underlying body paint markings that represent Awelye, which she often covers in layers of dots.

When Galya was younger, she was a nanny for a neighbouring station where she learnt English. 

Galya is now in her 90's and lives with family in a network of humpies on the outskirts of a small community on Atnwengerrp country; an ancient red land situated in the far north-east corner of Central Australia's remote Utopia region. Though she did not have children naturally, she is grandmother and great grandmother to a huge family by way of kinship.

Extension cords run from the community to provide power for washing machines and other neccessities. A camp fire in the middle of the communal space is always lit, ready to cook meals or boil water. This is the way home has always been.

Galya's sister Emily also lives here. Their older sister Molly who passed away in 2023 lived with them up until her passing and was thought to be just on 100 years of age.

There was another sister, Minnie Pwerle, who passed away in 2006. She was a widely recognised and exhibited Utopia artist.