Galya Pwerle ‘537’

Artist

Galya Pwerle (b. c.1930) is a senior Anmatyerre and Alyawarre woman from Atnwengerrp in the Utopia region, Northern Territory. The youngest of the renowned Pwerle sisters — which included her late sister Minnie Pwerle — Galya began painting in 2004 alongside her sisters Molly and Emily in a workshop organised by her niece Barbara Weir. Her principal Dreaming is the Bush Melon and its seeds, a native fruit unique to her Country, and she paints Awelye Atnwengerrp, the ceremonial body designs associated with women’s ceremonies.

Galya’s work begins with fine ceremonial lines and circles, overlaid with layers of vibrant dotting in warm desert tones, evoking the flowers, fruit, and seeds of the bush melon. Her style is celebrated for its lively textural complexity and deep cultural resonance, drawing comparisons to her extended family member, Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

She has exhibited widely across Australia and internationally, including in New York, Washington D.C., Seoul, Singapore, and major Australian cities, with nominations for the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards in 2005 and 2008. Now in her late 90s, Galya continues to live and paint in Atnwengerrp, preserving her culture and contributing to one of Australia’s most important Aboriginal art legacies.

Learn more about more about Galya Pwerle here.

Artwork Information

Painted in 2018, this work measures 57cm x 82cm. It is currently stretched and ready to hang, with the artist’s signature featured on the canvas

Dreaming

Awelye Atnwengerrp is the women’s ceremonial Dreaming of Atnwengerrp (Utopia, Central Australia), affirming women’s responsibilities to Country, people, and ancestors. Led by senior women, ceremonies span days of song, dance, and storytelling, with ochre body designs that vary by land, season, and status. Each painted line and verse preserves law, knowledge, and spiritual connection. Artists such as Galya Pwerle and her sisters translate these ceremonial markings onto canvas, connecting sacred tradition with contemporary expression while remaining firmly anchored in Country.

Learn more about this dreaming here.

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.