Ada Bird Petyarre

Ada paints Awelye (Women’s Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) for Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard), a gentle little lizard that is covered in thorns. For added protection it is able to camouflage itself by changing its skin colour with its surroundings. The changing of skin colour is represented by the colours used in this painting. The Arnkerrthe is very sacred to Ada and the people of her country. In the Dreamtime, the Arnkerrthe travelled over Ada’s land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories.

Linear designs represent Awelye. These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women sing the songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be ‘painted-up’. Women perform Awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.