Rebecca Hossack and Emily Kame Kngwarreye in Australia
The aboriginal community of Utopia lies in the Western Desert, north east of Alice Springs. It was home to the great aboriginal artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1919 – 1996), who began painting in her late 70s and achieved international fame with her rich, seemingly impressionistic, depictions of her country and its orgins.
The community has a strong tradition of female artists. One of its first cultural initiatives was a batik-painting project by the women of the community – which subsequently toured Australian, and international, museums. The tradition has endured. Amongst the leading artists from the community, who have exhibited at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery, are Ada Bird Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre, Minnie Pwerle, Angelina Ngal (Pwerle), and Gloria Pwerle.
