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#278 Bush Plum Dreaming (Sunset) -ARTIST: Bessie Pitjara - Aboriginal Art: 129 x 95cm

AUD $770.00

ARTISTS: Bessie Pitjara 
LANGUAGE:
REGION: Utopia North Central Desert
TITLE: Bush Plum Dreaming
MEDIUM: Painting - acrylic on canvas

*All paintings come with a Certificate of Authenticity and are signed by the artist*

 

Region & Background
Bessie Pitjara was born in the 1960s and hails from Alhalkere country in the Utopia region of Central Australia, northeast of Alice Springs. She belongs to a renowned artistic family deeply rooted in Aboriginal art traditions. Her mother is acclaimed artist Polly Ngale, and her aunts, Kathleen Ngale and Angelina Pwerle, are also highly respected artists.

Artistic Beginnings
Immersed in art from an early age, Bessie was introduced to modern materials in the 1970s during a cultural shift in the Utopia community. Surrounded by creativity, she began developing her own practice under the guidance of her mother. In her early twenties, she explored Batik on silk, a technique that became a significant source of income and artistic expression at the time.

Cultural Influence & Dreamings
Bessie’s work draws on ancestral knowledge passed down through generations. Her father’s heritage gave her the Antwelarr and Kame Dreamings, while from her mother she inherited the Anwekety Dreaming — also known as the Bush Plum. These stories are central to her art, connecting her work deeply to country and culture.

The Bush Plum Story
The Bush Plum is more than a motif — it’s an important food source and cultural symbol. Aboriginal women continue to collect it when ripe, just as their ancestors did. Bessie’s paintings reflect this connection to the land, depicting the fruit’s seasonal patterns and influence on the terrain. Her technique involves building up rich layers of colour, evoking both movement and the physicality of country.

Style & Technique
Her visual style mirrors that of her mother and aunties, with vibrant, textured compositions that celebrate both story and landscape. Each canvas reveals a multidimensional representation of the Bush Plum Dreaming and the topography of her homeland.

Today
Bessie Pitjara is considered an emerging artist, yet she brings with her a deep cultural lineage and authentic voice. Through her work, she continues the storytelling traditions of Utopia, sharing important narratives that honour her people, her country, and her heritage.



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