Gloria Petyarre

Bush Medicine Leaves | 150h x 95w | RK508

Not framed or stretched  |  Acrylic on canvas

Gloria Petyarre (b c.1945-2021) was one of seven sisters who are all well known Indigenous artists, including Kathleen, Nancy, Violet and Ada Bird. She is also the niece of Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Gloria is arguably the most famous and significant of all female Australian Aboriginal Artists. She is credited with being the creator of this popular 'medicine leaves' style and is regarded as the most collectible of its proponents. She is now followed in doing so by several generations of her family members.

Gloria won Australia’s longest running art prize, the Wynne Prize in 1999 with “Bush Medicine Leaves” being the first Indigenous person to win one of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’s major prizes. In 2009 Hermès commissioned Gloria to design one of its signature silk scarves based on per paintings.

Her beautiful “Bush Medicine Leaves” depict 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.

Please Note: This Artist has passed away and out of respect for Aboriginal culture, we have removed any photos of this Artist holding her artworks from our website.