The Lasseters Collection - Lasseters Hotel Casino

Myrtle Petyarre
Year of birth: 1932
Language: Anmatyerre
Place of birth: Utopia Station
Myrtle’s country is Atnangkere. She is sister to Kathleen, Gloria, Ada Bird, Nancy, Violet and Jean
Petyarre from the Utopia region. Myrtle was involved with the Utopia Women’s Batik group since its
inception in the early 70’s and started painting acrylics in 1988 with CAAMA’s Summer Project.
Room 5120 Title: Awelye (Body Painting)
Here, Myrtle depicts sacred ceremonial sites. The story behind this piece is Myrtle’s Dreaming:
Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard). The ladies paint their breast, shoulders and neck for traditional
ceremonies, which include song and dance and are conducted by the elder women of the group.
Narpula Scobie Napurrula
Year of birth: 1950 (approx)
Place of birth: Haasts Bluff
Language: Luritja
Narpula Scobie started painting for the Papunya Tula Artists in the early 1980’s and was one of the
first women in Walungurru to do so. Narpula hails from family of renowned artists. She was married
to Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka [deceased], a famous Pintubi artist, and is a sister to Mitjili Napurrula.
Narpula’s art is forever evolving as she constantly finds new ways of depicting the traditional stories
of her Dreamings.
Room 5311 Title: Women’s Ceremony
This work depicts women (the U shapes symbols) at rockhole sites. Before the ceremony starts the
women paint their upper body using earthy ochres to create body paint designs. The women sing and
dance during the ceremony.
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