Description:

GLORIA PETYARRE
(c.1942-2021)
"Bush Medicine Leaves"
Acrylic on canvas.
Painted in 2018.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity.
Artwork is stretched and ready to hang.

  • Provenance: Gloria Petyarre (c.1942-2021) was a celebrated Australian Aboriginal artist from the Anmatyerre people of Utopia, located in the Northern Territory. Renowned for her dynamic and lyrical paintings, she gained national and international acclaim for her signature "Bush Medicine Leaves" series, which evokes the movement of leaves in the wind and reflects the spiritual and medicinal significance of native flora in Anmatyerre culture.

    Gloria began painting on batik in the late 1970s as part of a community project that nurtured the talents of many Utopia women. She transitioned to acrylic on canvas in the late 1980s, becoming one of the first female artists from Utopia to achieve widespread recognition. Her work is deeply rooted in the Dreaming stories passed down through generations, particularly those relating to the arnwekety (bush plum), bush medicine leaves and other important ancestral beings.

    Gloria's beautiful "Bush Medicine Leaves" depicts the leaves of a particular type of shrub that has medicinal qualities. The women collect the leaves and boil it down to make a paste. The sacred plant is also used in women's ceremonies and has a variety of practical uses. She painted her story in a range of different styles and types of brushes, including her signature ‘big brush' style.

    In 1999, Gloria became the first female winner of the prestigious Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales for her piece Bush Medicine Leaves, solidifying her place as one of Australia's foremost Indigenous artists. Her work has been exhibited widely across Australia, Europe, and the United States, and is held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Musée du quai Branly in Paris. In 2009, Hermès even commissioned her to design one of its signature silk scarves.

    Gloria's paintings are celebrated for their bold forms, rhythmic compositions, and their embodiment of Country, spirit, and culture. Her legacy continues to inspire both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and audiences around the world.
  • Dimensions: 90cm x 96cm
  • Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
  • Condition: Whilst we endeavour to capture any imperfections, please don't hesitate to request further information

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May 27, 2026 8:00 PM AEST
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