Minnie Pwerle was born circa 1910 and died 18th March 2006, her country is Atnwengerrp and her language is Anmatyerre and Alyawarr. Minnie has five sisters, Margie, Molly, Emily, Lois, and Galya and one brother called Louis (her other brother is now deceased). Minnie has seven children including Eileen, Betty, June, Dora, Raymond, and Barbara Weir, who is a well-known Aboriginal Artist.
Minnie’s emergence and dominance in the world of mainstream art has been compared to the legendary Emily Kame Kngwarreye, who like Minnie, began her painting career in her mid seventies and continued to paint with an energy that belied her age. Minnie also possesses incredible energy, and this is often reflected in her depiction of Awelye Atnwengerrp’ dreamings. She is regarded as one of Utopia’s foremost artists with her paintings in continual demand from both galleries and the private sector.

In February 2006, Minnie travelled to Melbourne for the opening of an exhibition with her sisters Emily, Molly & Galya curated by Flinders Lane Gallery. The exhibition showcased the depth of talent emerging once again from the Utopia community.

Minnie’s paintings are in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of NSW, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the La Trobe University Collection, as well as national and international collections including the Kelton Foundation, the Kreglinger Collection, and the Thomas Vroom Collection.

Click Here to read The Age article by Chris Beck