Polly Ngale: A Legacy of Bush Plum Dreaming

Polly Ngale was one of the most esteemed artists of the Utopia region, located in the northwest corner of the Simpson Desert, approximately 350km northeast of Alice Springs. As a senior custodian of her country, Alparra, Polly was part of the oldest living generation of Utopia women. Her artistic journey began in the late 1970s when she, like many others in her community, started working with silk batik before transitioning to painting on canvas.

A Master of Utopia Art

Polly Ngale is celebrated as one of the most accomplished painters from Utopia. Her work is deeply inspired by the Arnwetky, commonly known as the conkerberry or bush plum. This resilient plant flourishes in the arid landscapes of Utopia, producing fragrant white flowers before yielding small, plum-like fruits. These berries ripen in stages, transitioning from green to pink, brown, yellow, and finally, deep red or purple. Beyond being a valued bush tucker, the Arnwetky also holds medicinal properties and is a vital part of Anmatyerre cultural traditions.

The Dreaming and Artistic Representation

According to Anmatyerre Dreaming, the winds once carried the seeds of the Arnwetky across Polly’s ancestors’ lands. To honor and ensure the plant’s continual fruiting, the Anmatyerre people celebrate it through ceremonies featuring song and dance. In more recent times, this reverence has extended into painting, where the bush plum is depicted through intricate patterns and layered dot work.

Polly, along with her sisters Kathleen Ngale and Angeline Pwerle Ngale, shared custodianship of this sacred Dreaming. She developed a signature style of painting by meticulously layering dots to form mesmerizing, multi-dimensional compositions. Her technique involved overdotting to create depth and movement, blending colors to mirror the shifting hues of the ripening bush plum. This practice not only showcased her artistic mastery but also embodied a deeper connection to her land and heritage.

Recognition and Artistic Achievements

Polly Ngale’s paintings reflect her intimate knowledge of country, personal history, and ancestral journey. Her art serves as a sensory map, capturing the essence of Utopia’s landscape and Dreaming stories. Since 1999, her work has gained widespread recognition, both in Australia and internationally.

Some of her notable achievements include:

• Finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards since 2003.
• Honourable mention as a finalist in 2004.
• Representation at the Contemporary Art Fair in Paris at the Grand Palais Champs-Élysées.
• Featured in Emily Kngwarreye and Her Legacy at the Hillside Forum Daikanyama, Tokyo, in 2008.

Her works continue to be exhibited extensively, cementing her place as a leading figure in contemporary Aboriginal art.

Continuing the Legacy

Polly Ngale passed away on August 21, 2022, at Alice Springs Hospital, leaving behind an extraordinary artistic legacy. Today, her daughter, Bessie, carries on the Bush Plum Dreaming, ensuring that the cultural traditions and artistic expressions of the Anmatyerre people endure for future generations.

Polly’s paintings remain a testament to her deep cultural knowledge and artistic brilliance. Her work continues to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, preserving the beauty and significance of the Arnwetky Dreaming for years to come.

Polly Ngale’s Bush Plum Dreaming artwork, showcasing the rich traditions of Utopia Aboriginal art

Polly Ngale – Gallery Australia