In 2020, Chadstone Shopping Centre commissioned Pwerle Gallery to create a series of large-scale works celebrating Aboriginal culture from Utopia. At the heart of this commission was the desire to showcase stories that carry deep ancestral meaning, with the project focusing on both Awelye Atnwengerrp (women’s ceremonial Dreaming) and Scorpion Dreaming.

The first installation unveiled two monumental canvases by Freddy Purla, measuring 200 x 400 cm and 200 x 500 cm. These works told the Scorpion Dreaming, an important ancestral story from Utopia that speaks to survival, strength, and the cycles of nature. Freddy’s distinctive linear patterning and layered mark-making brought this Dreaming to life on a vast scale, capturing both its spiritual depth and its connection to Country. Displayed prominently in Chadstone’s Visitor Lounge, the paintings created an immediate dialogue to have a deeper discussion about Aboriginal culture.

A year later, Chadstone commissioned two further works by Charmaine Pwerle, each 200 x 400 cm, this time centred on Awelye Atnwengerrp. These works drew on Charmaine’s matrilineal heritage, passed down from her grandmother, the late Minnie Pwerle, and honoured the body paint designs and ceremonial practices of women in Atnwengerrp. Both of Charmaine’s works were later acquired into Chadstone’s private collection, embedding women’s ceremonial knowledge permanently into the cultural fabric of the centre.

For Pwerle Gallery, this commission was a significant milestone. It not only showcased two different but interrelated Dreamings from Utopia — Scorpion and Awelye but also gave them a home in one of Australia’s most iconic retail destinations. By doing so, Chadstone helped amplify stories that are thousands of years old, ensuring they continue to resonate in new and meaningful ways with contemporary audiences.

Corporate commissions like this highlight the powerful role art can play in bringing culture into shared spaces. If your organisation is interested in exploring a commission, learn more on our Commissioned Artwork page or reach out to us directly at hello@woocommerce-855869-2955444.cloudwaysapps.com
to begin the conversation.