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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 & 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.
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