Thelma Pitjara Long

Skin name: Pitjara

Language group: Alyawarre

Region: Soapy Bore, Utopia, NT

Dreaming: Bush honey grevillea - tharrkarr

Thelma Pitjara Long born in June 1979 is an Alyawarre artist from Soapy Bore, Utopia 270kms north east of Alice Springs. She was taught to paint by her aunties who painted their stories of awelye- the word used to describe the painted designs on the body, and the ceremonial teachings through painting, song, dance and totems. 

Thelma Pitjara paints the leaves and flowers of bush honey grevillea (tharrkarre) - an important plant in this country because of the sweet honey found in its flower. The honey is usually sucked straight from the flower, or the flowers can be steeped in water to make a sweet drink.

Her paintings observe these plants and landscape from an aerial perspective and are usually monochromatic. 

Exhibitions:

2019: Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, South Australia

2020: Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, South Australia

2021: Without Pier, Melbourne