Click here to read The Age article by Chris Beck

Minnie Pwerle (1910 - 2006) was born in the Utopia region approximately 300km north east of Alice Springs, NT. Her country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyerre and Alyawarr. Minnie has five sisters, Margie, Molly, Emily, Lois, and Galya and one brother called Louis (her other brother is now deceased). Minnie has seven children including Eileen, Betty, June, Dora, Raymond, and Barbara Weir, who is a well-known Aboriginal artist.

Minnie began painting in earnest recently at DACOU's workshop where she completed a series of linear paintings in September/October 1999. Sonia Heitlinger, Director of Flinders Lane Gallery, organised for Minnie's first solo exhibition in 2000 based on the strength of these paintings. These bold and free-flowing paintings immediately captured the attention of art lovers. Her first exhibition sold out. In 2004, Minnie's second solo exhibition was exhibited at Flinders Lane Gallery. The variety and impact of these paintings demonstrated Minnie's confidence and strength as a contemporary artist. Recently listed as one of Australia's Top 50 Most Collectable Artists in the Australian Art Collector, her popularity has soared.

In February 2006, Minnie travelled again to Melbourne for the opening of her first exhibition with her sisters Emily, Molly, and Galya, curated by Flinders Lane Gallery in conjunction with Dacou. The exhibition showcased the depth of talent emerging once again from the Utopia community.

Minnie's paintings are in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of NSW, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the La Trobe University Collection, as well as national and international collections including the Kelton Foundation, the Kreglinger Collection, and the Thomas Vroom Collection.