JEANNIE MILLS PWERLE

Senior artist Jeannie Mills Pwerle’s paintings predominately represent the Anaty - or native yam which grows in her region. The yam grows underground with a viny shrub growing above ground up to 1 metre high. It is normally found near to acacia trees in the spinifex-filled sand plains. Its brilliant pink flowers emerge after the summer rain. The Anaty is a tuber (or swollen root) of the shrub and tastes like sweet potato. It can be eaten raw or cooked. The linear work in Jeannie’s artworks represent the root system of the yam, and her dots, its seeds.

There is an ancient creation story that belongs to the Anaty, which women are taught as they enter initiation. By depicting the Anaty Jeannie pays homage to this significant plant and encourages its continual rejuvenation. Using a variety of colours in each brush stroke, Jeannie builds up a pattern of harmonious or contrasting colours, outlined by fine white dots and executed with great skill.