Minnie Pwerle 1909 - 2005
Represented by:
SmithDavidson Gallery
Minnie Pwerle was a renowned Australian First Nations artist from Utopia in the Northern Territory. A proud custodian of the Anmatyerre and Alyawarre language groups, Minnie’s cultural heritage was central to both her life and art. She was born near the Utopia cattle station and raised her family in close connection with her community and traditions, including her daughter, artist Barbara Weir.
Minnie’s artistic journey began in the late 1970s with the Utopia women’s batik project, which empowered local artists and laid the groundwork for a vibrant painting movement. Though she began experimenting with painting on canvas in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1999, at around 80 years old, that Minnie’s career truly flourished. Her works, inspired by ceremonial body painting and Dreamings, featured expressive lines, bold colors, and fluid compositions. Distinct from the dot-painting techniques of Western Desert art, Minnie’s style brought a fresh, contemporary vision to First Nations painting. Her art was deeply rooted in ancient traditions like sand and rock art, yet she reimagined these forms with a powerful modern sensibility.
Minnie’s work is celebrated worldwide and held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia. Until her passing in 2006, she remained a prolific painter, leaving a lasting legacy through her art and the continued creativity of her daughter and the Utopia community.
Minnie’s artistic journey began in the late 1970s with the Utopia women’s batik project, which empowered local artists and laid the groundwork for a vibrant painting movement. Though she began experimenting with painting on canvas in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1999, at around 80 years old, that Minnie’s career truly flourished. Her works, inspired by ceremonial body painting and Dreamings, featured expressive lines, bold colors, and fluid compositions. Distinct from the dot-painting techniques of Western Desert art, Minnie’s style brought a fresh, contemporary vision to First Nations painting. Her art was deeply rooted in ancient traditions like sand and rock art, yet she reimagined these forms with a powerful modern sensibility.
Minnie’s work is celebrated worldwide and held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia. Until her passing in 2006, she remained a prolific painter, leaving a lasting legacy through her art and the continued creativity of her daughter and the Utopia community.
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Artworks by Minnie Pwerle
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Minnie Pwerle working on a painting
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In museum collection:
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales
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Selected Collections
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Queensland National Gallery, Queensland, Australia
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
La Trobe University Collection, Sydney, Australia
Kelton Foundation, California, USA
Thomas Vroom Collection, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corrigan Collection, London, United Kingdom
Kreglinger Collection, Antwerp, Belgium
AMP Art Collection, Sydney, Australia
Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne, Australia
Fred Torres Collection, Australia
Pat Corrigan Art Collection, Australia
Gillian & Watson McAllister Collection, Sydney, Australia
Mbantua Collection, Alice Springs, Australia
The Luzco Family Collection, USA
Jacqui McPhee Collection, Perth, Australia
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, Australia
Dalrymple Community Cultural Centre Trust Collection, Charters Towers, Australia
Fondation Burkhardt-Felder Arts et Culture, Motiers, Switzerland
John McBride Collection, USA
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Queensland National Gallery, Queensland, Australia
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
La Trobe University Collection, Sydney, Australia
Kelton Foundation, California, USA
Thomas Vroom Collection, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corrigan Collection, London, United Kingdom
Kreglinger Collection, Antwerp, Belgium
AMP Art Collection, Sydney, Australia
Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne, Australia
Fred Torres Collection, Australia
Pat Corrigan Art Collection, Australia
Gillian & Watson McAllister Collection, Sydney, Australia
Mbantua Collection, Alice Springs, Australia
The Luzco Family Collection, USA
Jacqui McPhee Collection, Perth, Australia
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, Australia
Dalrymple Community Cultural Centre Trust Collection, Charters Towers, Australia
Fondation Burkhardt-Felder Arts et Culture, Motiers, Switzerland
John McBride Collection, USA
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