Emily Pwerle’s country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyerre and Alyawarr.  She is approximately in her late eighties, born circa 1922 (no records exist) and has had little exposure to western culture.  Emily lives in Irrultja, a tiny settlement in Utopia of about 100 people.  Emily picked up a paintbrush for the first time in 2004.
Emily’s extended family are the artists, Barbara Weir, Aileen and Betty Mpetyane, and her older sister, the late Minnie Pwerle.  Emily was encouraged by all to paint along with her sisters Gayla and Molly Pwerle.

It wasn’t until late 2004 that Barbara Weir, Minnie Pwerle’s daughter, organised the first workshop for the sisters which was held at Irrultja station. This inaugural workshop heralded the start of an amazing painting experience.  Just as Minnie showed her now well known and appreciated freedom of expression, Emily, Molly and Galya followed suit.  Another workshop was arranged and so it continues.

Minnie took a close and supportive role in the development of her younger sisters. The sisters had an instant response to applying paint onto canvas, developing expressions of their dreamings that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Emily paints “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, meaning women’s ceremony. “Awelye-Atnwengerrp” is depicted by a series of lines and symbols, often criss-crossed patterns that are layered across the canvas with colours that are explosive, colourful and energetic. The patterns represent the designs painted on women's bodies during bush tucker ceremonies in Atnwengerrp.  Emily has developed her own unique, contemporary style and is proving to be a prolific, energetic and talented artist, akin to her late sister Minnie Pwerle.

EXHIBITIONS

Jan 2005          Permanent exhibition and collection, Dacou Australia, Rosewater, SA.

June 2005        Group exhibition, Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs, NT.

Sept 2005        Group exhibition, Gallery Savah, Sydney, NSW.

Feb/Mar 2006  Group Exhibition, ‘The Pwerle Sisters,’ Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC.

Aug 2006         Group exhibition, APS Bendi Lango Art Exhibition, Rio Tinto  Offices, Melbourne, VIC.

Sept 2006        Group Exihibition, “The Pwerle Sisters’, Artmob Gallery, Hobart, TAS.

2006/07           Group exhibition, Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD.

Jan 2007          Permanent exhibition, Dacou Adelaide, Port Adelaide, SA.

Feb 2007         ‘Standing on Ceremony’, Tandanya Cultural Institute, Adelaide, SA.

May 2007        ‘Utopia in New York’ Robert Steele Gallery, New York. USA.

June 2007        Annual Group Exhibition ‘Shalom’, University of NSW, Shalom Department, Kensington, NSW.

July 2007         ‘Desert Diversity’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC.

July 2007         Group Exhibition, Australian Embassy, Washington, USA.

Aug 2007         ‘Treasures of the Spirit – Investing in Aboriginal Art’, Tandanya Cultural Institute, Adelaide, SA.

Sept 2007        Annual group exhibition, APS Bendi Lango Art Exhibition with Rio Tinto, Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD.

Oct 2007         “New Works from Utopia”, Space Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.