Josie Kunoth Petyarre

Josie Kunoth Petyarre is an Anmatyerre artist from the Utopia region of Australia’s Eastern Desert, whose career spans over four decades. A key figure in the seminal 1980s Utopia Women’s Batik Group, her work was featured in the historic Utopia: A Picture Story collection, which was acquired in its entirety by the Holmes à Court Collection. Transitioning from silk to canvas during the "Summer Project" of 1989, Petyarre emerged as one of the region's finest painters, known for her intricate dot designs depicting the Pencil Yam Dreaming, as well as works centered on Alhalkere Country, Sugar Bag, and Awelye (Women’s Ceremony).

Petyarre’s practice is defined by a boundless curiosity and a flair for capturing the intersection of traditional and contemporary desert life. Alongside her husband, Dinny Kunoth Kemarre, she has developed a sophisticated sculptural style. Her carvings range from traditional ceremonial figures and a "wild menagerie" of birds and animals to unexpected modern dioramas, including Toyotas, police wagons, and domestic furniture. These works, often described as spontaneous self-portraits, reflect her dynamic personality and the evolving landscape of her community.

Her contribution to Australian art has been recognised through numerous accolades, including being a finalist for the Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award at the Gallery of Modern Art and a selected entrant in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. Petyarre’s work is held in prestigious international and domestic institutions, such as La Culture en Couleur in Paris, the National Museum of Australia, and the Kerry Stokes Collection. Today, she continues to create from her remote outstation at Pungalindum, balancing her artistic practice with her dedication to her family and her local church.