#89 Women's Ceremony (Charcoal) Artist: TANYA BIRD MPETYANE Aboriginal Art: 72cm x 200cm

ARTIST:  Tanya Bird Mpetyane

REGION:  Utopia, Northern Territory

MEDIUM:  Acrylic on Canvas

COMPLETED:  6 August 2025

TITLE:  Women's Ceremony (Awelye)

BIOGRAPHY:

Tanya Bird Mpetyane (Born 1981) is the daughter of artists Eileen Bird and the late Paddy Bird.  Her Grandmother was Ada Bird Petyarre, senior law woman and highly respected artist from Utopia.

Tanya grew up surrounded by artists and the routine of painting.  She first began painting herself as an earBly teenager under the guidance of her Grandmother.  In 2010 Tanya began using black, grey & white designs to depict her subjects and more recently she has painted using bold, striking colours.  

Tanya paints Awelye (Women's Ceremonial & Body Designs) for the Ahakeye (Bush Plum).  The dot work in the paintings represent the Bush Plum.  Linear designs represent Awelye.  These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs.  Powders from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied using a flat stick with soft padding.  The women sing songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be painted up.  They perform ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the health and well being of their community.

Tanya's work is sought after by Galleries and collectors worldwide.