Freddy Purla ‘PG1215’

Artist

Freddy Purla (b. 1968, Darwin) is a celebrated Aboriginal artist and cultural leader whose heritage is deeply tied to the Utopia region. The son of Barbara Weir and grandson of Minnie Pwerle, he is also the adopted nephew of Emily Kame Kngwarreye through Aboriginal Law. Freddy began painting in 1989 and has developed acclaimed styles including Sand Dunes, Scorpion Dreaming, My Grandmother’s Country, and his vibrant dub-dub works.As founder of the Dreaming Art Centre of Utopia (DACOU) in 1993, Freddy reshaped the profile of Aboriginal art globally, championing cultural authority and artist rights. He played a pivotal role in the creation of Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Earth’s Creation I–IV and The Final Series. His works are held in collections worldwide, and today he serves as a global art curator and advisor for Pwerle Gallery while continuing his full-time art practice.

Artwork Information

Painted in 2022, this work measures 120cm x 130cm. It is currently stretched and ready to hang, with the artist’s signature featured on the canvas.

Dreaming

Freddy Purla’s Dreaming, My Grandmother’s Country, honours his ancestral land at Atnwengerrp in Utopia, Northern Territory, and the legacy of his great aunt, Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Through his signature ‘dub dub’ style, Purla captures the heat, seasons, wildflowers, and sacred sites of Country, embedding stories of bush tucker, ceremony, and ancestral journeys. Each work is a visual songline — a tribute of gratitude to the land that has sustained his family for thousands of years.

Medium

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.