Carved kangaroo by Louie Pwerle
Object No. 96/356/6
Carved animals and dishes, and painted seed necklaces, are made variously by artists including Queenie Kemarre, Louie Pwerle, Billy Petyarre, Wally Pwerle, Elizabeth Kngwarreye, Angelina Pwerle at the Ngkawenterre camp in the Utopia homelands. This particular camp is known for the carved animals made there. Goannas, lizards, echidnas and kangaroos are sought after for food, as 'bush tucker', while the dogs are 'devil dogs'. The devil dogs assist the ritual law enforcer, Kwertatye, in the beliefs of this group of Aboriginal people. Carved figures were made in earlier times, but it is not known what these were. The Ngkwarlerlaneme people at Utopia have revived the practice, following the introduction of acrylic painting in the 1980s; the dogs are painted in the manner of acrylic painting. Similarly the silk batiks made by this group often include figures or representations of animals and figures, real or mythological.
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Summary
Object Statement
Carved form, kangaroo shape, bean wood / paint, Louie Pwerle, Ngkawenyerre camp, Utopia, Northern Territory, Australia, 1996
Physical Description
Carved form, kangaroo shape, [bean wood] / paint, Louie Pwerle, Ngkawenyerre camp, Utopia, Northern Territory, Australia, 1996. Carved wooden form, round thick plinth (log width), on which a kangaroo stands on its hind legs and tail. Front paws carved on to front of body, pricked ears. Plinth painted black, kangaroo body a light fawn with white belly and inside legs and tail, black paws and nose. White eye.
DIMENSIONS
Height
650 mm
Width
235 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed and made by Louie Pwerle from a soft wood, locally called beanwood. Louie is part of a family who live at the Ngkawenterre camp in the Utopia homelands, and mostly carves and paints animals. He made three kangaroos in 1989 and none other until 1996, after Rodney Gooch brought back a 'tree kangaroo' (squirrel or possum) from Indonesia; following this Louie started to make kangaroos again. Only a few echidnas appear to be made (about 12 in the last 6 years), and only two with real quills seen by the Sydney agent in the last few years. This is (in 1996) the only camp where carved animals, figures and bowls are made, and paintings on canvas are also made at this camp. All the works in this particular collection are made by members of this family at this camp. All are consistent carvers, some like Queenie and Louie since about 1988. Billy Petyarre is the father; Mary Kemarre the mother. Queenie Kemarre is Mary's sister. Billy and Mary's daughter Janice is married to Wally Pwerle. Their daughter Sarah Kngwarreye is married to Louie Pwerle (as first wife) Louie's youngest wife is Angelina Pwerle; Elizabeth Kngwarreye appears to be another wife of Louie's. Ages: Louie: about 55; Queenie: about 65; Angelina: about 30; Elizabeth: possibly 30s.
HISTORY
Notes
Selected from Utopia Art Sydney, 1996
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1996
Acquisition Date
16 October 1996
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