Artist

Betty Mbitjana is the daughter of renowned artist Minne Pwerle and sister of artist Barbara Weir. Her husband was Lena Pwerle’s son, Paddy Club, who sadly passed away in 2012.

Artwork Information

This piece was painted in 2021 and is 40cm x 40cm in size.

Artwork has been signed by the artist and will also be provided with imagery of the artist with the work.

Dreaming

Betty’s Awelye paintings depict the designs that the women would paint on their bodies, and the dancing tracks which are made in the sand during women’s awelye ceremony. Through their awelye ceremonies, women pay homage to their ancestors, show respect for their country and dance out their collective maternal role within their community.

A design based on these dancing tracks is painted on women’s bodies before a ceremony is performed, and this same design can be seen today in Betty’s works on canvas and in the works of her mother, sisters, and aunts. Ochre, charcoal and ash are all used to paint designs on the women’s upper bodies, and Pwerle women paint their chests, breasts and upper arms for awelye in ochre, red and white. The designs they use have been passed down for many generations, and only the Pwerle or Kemarre owners can paint them.

Medium

All the artwork provided is done on with highest quality linen canvas, acrylic paints, oils and brushes ensuring the longevity of each piece of work.