Joy Kngwarreye Jones

Joy Kngwarreye Jones' inspiration for her paintings is derived from her knowledge of Awelye or women's business. Awelye describes everything associated with women's ceremonies or rituals including the painted designs adorning the women's bodies.

In preparation for the ceremonies, the women paint designs on the top half of their body using a variety of powders, ground from charcoal and yellow and red ochre. The body paint designs vary from ceremony to ceremony and depend on the subject and the time of year the ceremony is held. Different symbols are painted on the body and may vary from person to person depending on the seniority of each member. Joy Kngwarreye Jones's paintings represent her interpretation of these designs which she views from an aerial perspective.

Collections:

Aboriginal Art Museum, The Netherlands

Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane

The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth