Evelyn Pultara - Bush Yam Dreaming
Evelyn Pultara
Evelyn Pultara

Evelyn Pultara - Bush Yam Dreaming

2005, 200 x 122cm ADG:3409

ADG: 3409

Description

Bush Yam Dreaming - Story of Painting

Evelyn Pultara has painted her totem, the bush yam in this large, colourful painting. The yam is an important bush food gathered in the region of Utopia. The yam has a complex root system that can spread up to twelve metres from its stalk. The plant has bright green leaves with yellow flowers and branches out over a wide area. It is commonly found in woodland areas and close to a water source. The edible part is attached to the root system and must be located, dug up and gathered.

Evelyn has cultural responsibility to look after the bush yam and ensure that it regenerates and continues to provide a food source for Aboriginal people.

Evelyn Pultara

Born c. 1940-

Group Anmatyerre

Country Alhalkere

Area Atneltyeye- Boundary Bore Outstation

Region Utopia, North East of Alice Springs, N.T.

Medium Acrylic on canvas/linen

Subjects Bush Foods, Bush Yam, Atnwelarr (Pencil Yam), Country, Awelye- Ceremonial Body Paint Design

Evelyn Pultara is an outstanding artist from the Utopia region of the Northern Territory. She was born c.1940 at Woodgreen Station, the cattle property adjoining Utopia Station. She is an Anmatyerre woman and the mother of six children. Evelyn Pultara now lives in the tiny township of Wilora in the Northern Territory, 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs. Evelyn began painting in 1997. From starting as a painter of more traditional themes such as bush tucker and awelye (women’s ceremonial body paint designs), she has progressed rapidly and now exclusively paints her plant totem, the bush yam.

Like her late aunt Emily Kame Kngwarreye, her sisters Dolly Mills Petyarre and Gloria Mills Petyarre and her full brother Greeny Purvis, Evelyn Pultara was born with the bush yam as her 'totem'. The bush yam has been an abundant source of food and water for the Anmatyerre people for countless years.

Evelyn has the cultural responsibility to look after the bush yam plant through song, dance, ceremony and art to ensure that the plant regenerates year after year providing an important food source.

Collections

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT

Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT

The Holmes a' Court Collection, Perth, WA

Exhibitions

1993 Yapakurlangu Jirrama, Batchelor College, Tennant Creek, NT

2003 World Vision Walkabout Gallery, Leichardt, Sydney, NSW

2003 Centro Culturale Allende, Sogni Aborigeni Premio Chatwin, La Spezia , Italy

2003 Teatro della Tosse, Rassegna Australiana: Arte del Deserto, La Spezia, Italy

2004 Evelyn Pultara, abOrigena, Milan, Italy

2005 The Art of Evelyn Pultara, Gig Gallery, Glebe, Sydney, NSW

2005 Linda Syddick Evelyn Pultara, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle, WA

2005 Antwelarr, Australia Dreaming Art, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC

2005 22nd Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT

Awards

2005 Winner – General Painting Section, 22nd Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT

Ranking - Most Important Aboriginal Artists

2011 - Rank amongst Living Artists: 63

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