Soakage by Lena Pwerle (SOLD)

Plenty of white in this painting transforms its raw foundation of yellow ochre and sienna into an eloquent and sophisticated piece. A nice compact size, sure to warm and brighten any space.

This painting has been hand painted by Lena Pwerle of Utopia, Central Australia. Circular designs represent soakages (or waterholes)that are spread across her land in the Utopia Region.

Lena says that these soakages, now all dried and used up, had plenty of water in them long ago, even when she was growing up, providing her people with a much needed water supply. With their intimate knowledge of the land, Lena’s people knew how and where to find them in the harsh desert environment.

“Long time [ago] olden time mob get their little coolamon (bowl), they check them [soakages] – proper good one water! They been find ‘em under the ground. My grandmother taught me where to find ‘em. They dry now, they finish. They [my people] drink bore water now” - Lena Pwerle

Artist

Name: Lena Pwerle
Skin name: Pwerle (also spelled Pula)
Language group: Anmatyerre
Country: Ahalpere
Region: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: 1934
Read Lena Pwerle's full bio »

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'What is a Soakage?'
Soakages exhibition I Lena Pwerle - 15 Oct - 16 Dec 2015
Soakages Sequel exhibition I Lena Pwerle - 16 Sep - 12 Nov 16

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
• Size of painting: 90cm x 45cm with approx 6cm black border
• Background colour: Black