Lot 88

Dacou Gallery, South Australia
Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne (accompanied by the certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"Awelye - Atnwengerrp' is depicted by a series of lines painted in varying widths and colours. These patterns represent the lines painted on the top half of women's bodies during ceremonies in Minnie's country of Atnwengerrp.

Minnie's Dreamings consist of elements of 'Bush Melon' and 'Bush Melon Seed'. 'Bush Melon" is depicted using a linear design of curves, circles and breast designs in different colours creating a very loose and bold design while 'Bush Melon Seed" is big and small patches of colour strewn across the canvas.

Both of these Dreamings tell the story of this lovely sweet food that comes from a very small bush and is only found in Atnwengerrp. Once very abundant and fruiting in the summer season, the Bush Melon is now very hard to find. Minnie and the other women used to collect this fruit (that was green in colour and then ripened to a brown colour) and scrape out the small black seeds. They would then eat the fruit straight away or cut it into pieces and skewer them onto a piece of wood and dry them to be eaten in the coming months when bush tucker was scarce.

These artistic symbols carry potent spiritual meanings. The physical creation of these Dreamings is an important part of the continuation of an ancient and rich cultural heritage."

As stated on the Flinders Lane Gallery certificate of authenticity.

© Minnie Pwerle/Copyright Agency, 2025