My Country | SP-2283

DOB: c. 1965

Birthplace: Utopia Station, NT

Language: Anmatyerre

Skin name: Petyarre

Community: Utopia, NT


Anna Petyarre (also known as Anna Pitjara) was born at Utopia Station, a community approximately 250km northeast of Alice Springs in 1965. She belongs to a large language group of extremely talented and strong female artists and is the daughter of famous Utopian artist Glory Ngale.

As a young child in the 1970’s, Anna watched on as her mother along with the women in her community used Batik sales to help win their land rights claim. She largely drew her inspiration from growing up surrounded by artists who were experimenting with new methods of depicting traditional Dreaming stories.

In the 1980’s, Anna began painting independently to the Utopia community, incorporating Dreamings from her father’s and grandfather’s country around Boundary Bore. As a traditional Anmatyerre woman who has participated and contributed heavily to her culture, Anna has the authority to depict Awelye, which are sacred women’s ceremonies. She also paints the Bush Yam Dreaming, which depicts the Bush Yam and its seeds and root systems, using natural colours found in the Utopia region including the red sand, white clay and ochres of the earth.

Anna’s most recent paintings are more minimalistic in nature, providing a bird’s eye view of the salt lakes and surrounding country. The large circles show dried salt plains which have formed over generations. Following the heavy rains large water holes are created, the water then gradually evaporates and leaves only the salt behind.

Anna resides and paints at Mulga Bore, a community approximately 200 km from Alice Springs, however, she often travels with her art works. She is a well-spoken ambassador for her people and for the Art of Utopia, with her artwork having been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and Internationally.

Over the years and more recently in 2022 Anna has been an artist in residence at Top Didj, painting artworks within our gallery. She loves to be available to share her culture, stories and painting style with others.