Body Paint Designs by Abie Kemarre Loy 31x61cm

Abie Kemarre Loy's artwork captures the essence of Awelye, traditional women's ceremonies deeply rooted in Indigenous Australian culture. In this painting, a group of women is depicted preparing for the ceremony by adorning themselves with intricate body paint designs, known as Awelye. These designs, composed of arc shapes and simple lines, hold profound significance, representing more than just body art and is one of the oldest living art forms, with Indigenous women participating in these activities for thousands of years.

To prepare for the ceremony, the women use natural materials like ash, charcoal, and ochre to create the designs. Before applying the body paint, the participants coat their skin with animal fat or vegetable oil, which helps in applying and removing the powdered pigments. The act of painting is accompanied by songs from the Dreaming era and dances that form part of the Awelye cycles.

Awelye ceremonies serve to connect the women to their land and ancestors, honouring the spirits and celebrating the sustenance provided by the land. Each design is unique, often specific to a family or skin group, depicting elements of nature, animals, places, and laws, thus reinforcing cultural identity and unity.