Michelle Apwerl Holmes

Skin name: Pula
Language: Alyawarre
Date of birth:  22 December 1968
From: Ampilatwatja
Community: Ampilatwatja, NT

Michelle’s subject matter is always ‘strong bush medicine’, demonstrating a deep connection to her country. Her work pays homage to the significance and use of traditional bush medicine, allowing an insight into her community.

Michelle’s family still traditionally hunt and gather, the love for her land, plants, flowers and trees inspire her paintings from season to season.

Michelle was part of the original Utopian Batik art movement during 1988, the entire collection was purchased by the Robert Holmes Court Foundation.

In 2013 Michelle won the 30th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) People’s Choice.

Artworks