Barbara Weir ‘1059’

Artist

Barbara Weir (1940–2023) was a distinguished Aboriginal artist from Atnwengerrp in Central Australia, born to acclaimed artist Minnie Pwerle and raised by her Aunty, the legendary Emily Kame Kngwarreye. As a child, Barbara was forcibly removed from her family under the government’s assimilation policy, becoming part of the Stolen Generations — a traumatic experience that profoundly shaped her life and later artistic expression. Reconnecting with her roots in the late 1960s, she became a strong advocate for her community, serving as the first female president of the Urapunta Council and playing a key role in the Utopia Homelands movement.

Barbara began painting in the 1990s, encouraged by her son Fred Torres and quickly developed a distinct and emotive abstract style. Her most recognised series, Grass Seed and My Mother’s Country, are celebrated for their layered symbolism and deep connection to the land and Dreaming stories. Exhibiting across Europe, Asia and the United States, Barbara’s work is held in major collections including the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Until her passing in 2023, she remained a cultural matriarch, leaving a lasting legacy of strength, storytelling, and artistic innovation through both her family and her art.

Artwork Information

Painted in 2021, this work measures 31cm x 31cm. It is currently stretched and ready to hang, with the artist’s signature featured on the canvas.

This artwork was a part of the ‘Celebration of Country’ virtual exhibition.

Dreaming

In the Utopia region, grass seeds have long been a vital bush food traditionally collected by Aboriginal women. One particular reddish grass, found across sandplains and spinifex country, produces seeds that were crushed into a paste and cooked into damper — a dense, traditional bread still recognised today. With modern grazing pressures and introduced species like rabbits, this grass has become scarcer, but its cultural value remains deeply rooted. Historically, women would observe certain ant species that gathered and discarded seeds outside their nests, making collection easier and reflecting a unique relationship between people, animals, and Country.

Barbara Weir’s Grass Seed Dreaming reflects this ancestral knowledge and connection to land. Using intricate dotwork and flowing brushstrokes, she evokes the motion of grass swaying in the wind and the quiet labour of seed collection. These paintings honour the roles of women in sustaining community and preserving tradition. More than just a record of food gathering, the Dreaming represents a broader story of survival, resilience, and the enduring spirit of culture passed down through generations.

Medium

Each artwork is meticulously created using the highest quality materials to ensure longevity, vibrancy, and integrity over time. Artists work with premium linen canvas, selected for its durability and fine texture, paired with professional-grade acrylics and hand-picked brushes. This combination allows for both bold expression and intricate detail, preserving the richness of the stories embedded in every piece. All materials are archival and museum-quality.