Utopia, Northern Territory, Australia

Minnie Pwerle was born around 1910 and died on the 18th March 2006.

Her country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyerre and Alyawarr.

Minnie had five sisters and two brothers as well as seven children including Barbara Weir who is also a well-known Aboriginal artist.

Minnie commenced painting her beautifully coloured linear canvases late in 1999. Her bold and free-flowing artworks immediately captured the attention of art lovers.

Minnie’s main Dreamings (and titles) are Awelye-Atnwengerrp, Bush Medicine and Bush Melon Seed. Her works conveyed her love and respect for the land and the food it provides its people. Awelye-Atnwengerrp is depicted by a series of lines painted in different widths, patterns and colours. The patterns represent the designs painted on the top half of the women's bodies during ceremonies in the country of Atnwengerrp. Bush Melon is represented by a series of meandering linear designs, circles and breast motifs in different colours that create fluid and bold paintings and Bush Melon Seed comprises large and small patches of colour strewn across the canvas.

Minnie will long be remembered as one of Australia's leading aboriginal artists.