Kathleen Ngale

Date of Birth:              c1940 – deceased 2021

Skin Name:                 Ngale
Language Group:       Anmatyerre
Country:                      Ahalpere, Utopia Region
Subjects:                     Anwekety (Bush Plum or Conkerberry) Dreaming

Kathleen began her art career in the late 1970's in the medium of batik with over eighty other women from the Utopia Region in Central Australia. Her work in batik is featured in Utopia A Picture Story. When the acrylics on canvas movement swept Utopia in the late 1980's, Kathleen like the other women swiftly changed mediums. Kathleen's popularity as an artist grew in the early 00's, for her simplistic "Bush Plum" paintings. Her work has been exhibited around the globe and is also featured frequently in Aboriginal Art Auctions.

Kathleen loved to paint and talk about her work. Although she didn’t speak much English, she tried to teach the wider world about her paintings and the Anwekety that features in them. Kathleen referred to the Anwekety as Bush Plum, which in fact are small black conkerberries that grow on the plant after good rain.

She lived with her sisters and extended family in the Utopia Region, was encouraged by and passed her enthusiasm onto them. Artists Polly Ngale (dec’d), Glady Kemarre (dec’d) and Angelina Pwerle Ngale are just a few family members to name.

Kathleen and her sisters Angelina and Polly are responsible for the ceremonial body painting and dance that ‘sings up’ the song of the Anwekety. Continuing this tradition ensures the plant continues to germinate and produce its valuable food source year on year. Kathleen’s depiction here of the process of ripening is important as it reflects the Anmatyerre’s successful ceremonial upkeep. It also communicates the anticipation of the slow ripening of the shrub’s fruit, until the berries are ripe to eat. These sweet wild plums are high in nutrients and vitamins and are abundant on Delmore Downs and Utopia after summer rains.