Tribe: Anmatyerre
Area: Central & Western Desert
Born: c.1945
Rosemary Petyarre was born in Atneltye or Boundary Bore on Utopia Station, Northern Territory. As a bush woman, she is familiar with her land andits abundance of bush tucker species, medicine plants and native fauna. These are the stories inherited by her, along with important women’s stories, and these form the basis of her paintings.
Rosemary is sister to famous Aboriginal artist Greeny Purvis Petyarre. Other famous Petyarre artists include well known Gloria Petyarre, Jeannie Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre, Ada Bird Petyarre, Violet Petyarre, Myrtle Petyarre and Nancy Petyarre.
Like most other Utopian artists, Rosemary began her formal artist career with the Holmes a’Court ‘Summer Project’ in 1988 producing batik, which led to painting with acrylic on canvas. Varied from traditional iconography to blossoming plant life and vibrant colours.
Collections
Holmes a’Court Collection, Perth
Exhibitions
1989 – Utopia Women’s Paintings ‘A Summer Project’
1990 – ‘A picture Story’, 88 silk works from the Holmes a’Court Collection, UK
1993 – Central Australian Aboriginal Art & Craft Exhibition, Alice Springs
