Abie Loy Kemarre | Awelye (Body Painting) MK17217

This painting shows Abie’s depiction of ‘Awelye’ or body painting story, which relates to women’s only ceremony. 

When preparing for ceremony the Anmatyerre women would apply iconography to their upper body using their fingertips and small, sharpened twigs. 

Paint was created using coloured ochres mixed with animal fats. The colour black was obtained either from charcoal or over-ripe bush plums. There are strict rules regarding which specific designs could be applied.