In January 2006, the work of the four Pwerle sisters was exhibited together for the first time, marking a significant moment in contemporary Indigenous Australian art. While the eldest, Minnie Pwerle, had already garnered national and international acclaim for her dynamic, expressive style and vivid palette, this exhibition introduced the talents of her sisters, Emily, Molly, and Gayle, whose works revealed a powerful collective voice rooted in shared cultural traditions.

Living and painting in the remote settlement of Irrultja at Utopia, 280 km northeast of Alice Springs, the sisters draw upon their deep connection to the land of Atnwengerrp and the Dreaming stories passed through generations. Their art is inspired by ancestral narratives and the desert landscape, offering a rich visual language grounded in the sacred knowledge of their country.

Three key Dreaming elements dominate their paintings:
• Anemangkerr (bush tomato), whose circular forms appear prominently in Emily's work, referencing both its significance as a food source and its symbolic power.
• Akarley (northern wild orange), a fruit-bearing shrub with striking white flowers and vibrant fruit.
• Lyaw (Portulaca oleracea or munyeroo), a staple plant that has sustained people in Utopia for millennia.

These works challenge and expand conventional understandings of Aboriginal art. Rather than employing traditional iconography such as concentric circles or u-shapes, the sisters embrace bold abstraction— layered brushwork, vivid colours, and fluid linework—to convey spiritual and emotional depth. Their paintings invite viewers to see through the lens of the artist, to witness a rich cultural landscape expressed with intensity, complexity, and grace.

Please note that all First Nations Art is created from a so called ‘Birds Eye’ view. This means that the paintings can be hung either horizontally as well as vertically.