1984
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na) , Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail Plant) and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum) and Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant)
Alvira is the daughter of artists Paddy Bird (deceased) and Eileen Bird. She lives in Alice Springs and Mulga Bore with her husband and children. Her grandmother is the late Ada Bird Petyarre, a highly respected senior artist from Utopia.
Artist: Alvira Bird Mpetyane
Size: 90 x 30cm
Title: Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail Plant) and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year Painted: 2022
Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail Plant) and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed)
Linear designs in Alvira's painting represent Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs) for Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Alpar (Rat-tail plant) and Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed). These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women sing the songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be 'painted-up'.
