My Country, 2007 by Kathleen Ngale, 210x150cm 10450KN

My Country, 2007 by Kathleen Ngale: A Stunning Artistic Tribute to Ahalpere

"My Country, 2007" by Kathleen Ngale is a breathtaking 210x150cm masterpiece depicting her sacred custodial land, Ahalpere. This region is renowned for the anwekety (conkerberry or bush plum), a sweet black berry from the Carissa lanceolata plant. The berries mature from green to purple, eventually turning black, and are collected, dried, and soaked in water before consumption. Beyond its culinary use, the plant's orange inner bark is used for medicinal washes, particularly for skin and eye conditions, and its thorns are used to treat warts.

Born around 1933, Kathleen Ngale was a senior law woman of the Anmatyerr language group in Utopia. She began her artistic journey with batik in the late 1970s before transitioning to acrylic on canvas during the late 1980s. Her vibrant, color-infused paintings of the Bush Plum Dreaming have gained national and international acclaim. Kathleen's work is part of prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, and she has been a finalist in major art awards, including the 2008 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.

Kathleen's unique style combines structured traditional patterns with adventurous free-form techniques. Her paintings, characterised by luminous clouds of colour, reflect the ripening stages of the wild plum and celebrate the productivity and survival of her culture. Even after her passing in 2021, Kathleen Ngale's legacy continues to shine through her celebrated and vibrant artworks, offering a profound connection to her cultural heritage and the natural world.

Kathleen's early works were reminiscent of traditional body painting, featuring structured designs. Over time, she experimented with pastel colours and freer brush strokes, creating dynamic and vivid compositions. Her art captures the changing seasons and the women's journey in search of the Bush Plum, embodying the deep spiritual connection of the Anmatyerre people to their land.

Kathleen Ngale's journey as an artist has solidified her reputation as a highly talented and influential figure in contemporary Aboriginal art. Her vibrant paintings symbolise the survival of her people's culture and have captivated collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. Her works are celebrated for their energetic and free-flowing style, representing a unique blend of traditional and modern artistic expression.

As a senior custodian of the Bush Plum Dreaming, Kathleen's art continues to inspire and educate, passing on cultural traditions to younger generations. Her paintings are not only artistic masterpieces but also a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of the Anmatyerre people.