Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) Dreaming by Gloria Tamerre Petyarre, 31x31cm

"Arnkerrthe (Mountain Devil Lizard) Dreaming" by Gloria Tamerre Petyarre is a vibrant and culturally significant painting that captures the essence of the sacred Arnkerrthe lizard. This gentle, thorn-covered lizard, known for its ability to camouflage by changing skin color, is a revered figure in the Dreamtime stories of Gloria's people. The painting vividly represents this transformation through the dynamic use of color, symbolizing the lizard's connection to the land and its spiritual significance.

Gloria Petyarre, born around 1945 in Utopia and passing in June 2021, was one of the most prominent artists from the Utopia region, located northeast of Alice Springs. She belonged to the Anmatyerre language group and spent much of her life at Mulga Bore (Akaye Soakage) in Central Australia. Gloria was part of a renowned family of artists, including her sisters Kathleen, Nancy, Violet, and Ada Bird Petyarre, all of whom have made significant contributions to Aboriginal art.

In "Arnkerrthe Dreaming," Gloria masterfully intertwines traditional storytelling with contemporary artistic expression, making this work a vital piece of Indigenous Australian art. The painting’s connection to the sacred Dreamtime and its vibrant representation of the Arnkerrthe lizard solidify Gloria’s legacy as a leading figure in Aboriginal art.