Artist

Lizzie Pwerle is an emerging aboriginal artist living in Utopia. Her country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyarre & Alyawarre. Lizzie has been painting on canvas since the 1980’s and was involved in the batik projects of the 1970s. She is the first cousin to the Pwerle Sisters (Galya, Molly, Emily & the late Minnie Pwerle).

Lizzie paints in two beautiful styles. The first style that she developed on canvas is ‘Women’s Ceremony’. These paintings consist of finely executed dots painted in circular forms and linear patterns that resembles a carefully designed grid. These works take several weeks to complete as Lizzie is a patient artist, returning to work on a new section of her canvas after it has dried.

In 2008 Lizzie began panting ‘Bush Orange Dreaming’ which is depicted by many lines of fine dots painted in a linear design representing the branches of the Bush Orange plant and the country that sustains this important source of bush tucker.

 Learn more about Lizzie Pwerle here.

Artwork Information

This artwork was produced in 2023, acrylic on linen and is 40cm x 50cm in size.

Artwork is currently stretched.

On display to view at Burnside Village SA from 21st August – 3rd September.

Collection: Blooming

Embark on a captivating voyage into the realm of ‘Blooming,’ an enchanting pop-up installation at Burnside Village, SA that masterfully weaves the creative threads of Pwerle Gallery and Hygge Studio.

Drawing inspiration from Utopia’s desert wildflowers, ablaze with hues after the spring rains, this installation is a heartfelt tribute to the land’s vibrant blossoms.

With the advent of spring, the Indigenous bond with the land deepens, resonating with the evolving seasons. The wildflowers burst forth in a symphony of purples, oranges, and yellows adorning emerald stems, against the backdrop of the earth’s fiery red embrace.

View the full collection here.

Dreaming

The Bush Orange Lizzie paints is a particular fruit that grows in Atnwengerrp. Once very abundant but now scarce due to over grazing, this species was a stable source of bush tucker for Aboriginals. The fruit grows on a thin long stalk and is larger than a passionfruit. It is green when unripe turning yellow in maturity.

It is soft inside and is often compared to the flavour of custard apple. The fruit is consumed raw with the tough outer skin discarded or laid out to dry to consumed during months when bush tucker is scarce.

The physical creation of this Dreaming is an important part of the bush tucker ceremonies conducted by the Utopia women. Artworks such as ‘Bush Orange’ & “Womens Ceremony” ensures the continuation of an ancient and rich cultural heritage while acknowledging the close bond still retained by the artist to her country.

Learn more here.

Medium

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