Minnie PWERLE (c1910-2006) Atnwengerrp/Utopia Minnie Pwerle's Dreamings consist of elements of 'Bush Melon' and 'Awelye'. Awelys-Atnwengerrp' is depicted by a series of lines painted in varying widths and colours. These patters represent the lines painted on the top had of women's bodies during ceremonies in Minnie's country of Atnwengerrp. 'Bush Melon' is depicted using linear design of curves and circles in different colours creating a very loose and bold design. This dreaming tells the story of this lovely sweet food that comes from a very small bush and is only found in Atnwengerrp. Once very abundant and fruiting in the summer season, the Bush Melon is now hard to find. Minnie and other women used to collect this fruit (that was green in colour and then ripened to a brown colour) and scrape out the small black seeds. They would then eat the fruit straight away or cut it in pieces and skewer them onto a piece of wood to dry then to be eaten in the coming months when bush tucker was scarce. These artistic symbols carry potent spiritual meanings.. The physical creation of these Dreamings in an important part of the continuation of an ancient and rich cultural heritage. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Awelye & Bush Melon Dreaming, 2004 Acrylic on canvas, over three panels art, artwork, minnie pwerle, aboriginal, anmatyerre language, atnwengerrp country

Gloria PETYARRE (c.1942 - 2021) Born: Mosquito Bore, Utopia, Northern Territory Language Group: Anmatyerre Community: Utopia, Northern Territory Gloria Petyarre's depiction of the Kurrajong bush medicine leaves with her layered, swirling brushstrokes is her iconic motif. In 1999 Gloria Petyarre became the first Indigenous Australian artist to win the 'Wynne Prize for Landscape' at the New South Wales Gallery. She is credited with being the creator of this popular style, which was adopted and adapted by several generations of her family members over Gloria's retirement in 2019. The artistic tradition in Utopia started in the Utopia Women's Silk Batik Group introduced in 1977. Gloria Petyarre and her aunt Emily Karne Kngwarrye were found members of this group. Gloria Petyarre started painting on canvas in 1988 with her brushstrokes and layered paint having foundations in the batik tradition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Utopian Art Movement‘Bush Medicine Dreaming’ depicts the leaves of a special plant that is used to aid in the healing process. The leaves are collected and then boiled to extract the resin. Following this, the resin is mixed with kangaroo fat collected from the kangaroo’s stomach. This creates a paste that can be stored for up to six months in bush conditions. This medicine is used to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent. The Dreaming that is the basis for Petyarre’s paintings comes from the important ceremonies and traditions held by the people of Atnwengerrp. art, artwork, gloria petyarre, aboriginal, utopia

Barbara Weir (b. 1945-03/01/2023) Born: In the region of Utopia, North East of Alice Springs, formerly known as Derry Downs Station Language: Anmatyerre and Alywarr Country: Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory One of the Stolen Generation, Barbara Weir was removed from her Aboriginal family at the age of nine, and she was raised in a series of foster homes. Reuniting with her mother, Minnie Pwerle, in the 1960s, Weir eventually returned to her family territory of Utopia, 300 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs. Active in the local land rights movement of the 1970s Barbara Weir was elected the first woman president of the Indigenous Urapunta Council in 1985. Barbara’s career as an artist was inspired by the dynamic community of artists at Utopia and the work of her adopted auntie Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Highly experimental in her approach, Barabara Weir tried many mediums before travelling to Indonesia in 1994 with other artists to explore batik technique. She returned full of ideas on how to develop her own style which has since evolved to a more expressive abstract form. Grass Seed is part of her Dreamings and is associated with women’s ceremony and the activity of food gathering of local seeds, grasses, berries, potato, plum, banana, flowers and yams. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Barbara Weir's paintings include representations of particular plants and "dreamings". Inspired by a small grass found in Utopia called Lyaw, Munyeroo or Pigsweed, Barbara's Grass Seed paintings consist of a series of small brush strokes that overlap and weave to create a swaying effect. This Dreaming tells the story of grass seed that is part of the bush tucker found in the region of Utopia. This seed is collected, crushed to a fine powder and is then used to make a bread, very similar to damper. The people of Utopia were still using this seed as late as the 1950s. During that time the seed grew in abundance but as the years passed there were very few good seeds to be found due to bullocks roaming the land and eating the grasses. The people then began to eat a substitute that the white man provided, and today very few Aboriginal people collect these seeds. art, artwork, barbara weir, aboriginal, dreaming, stolen generation, acrylic on linen