Josie Petrick Kemarre

Josie Petrick Kemarre

Born:c.1945
Region:Harts Range
Language group:Anmatyerre

Josie Petrick was born at Santa Teresa Mission and is the niece of the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

She began painting in the early 90’s and has emerged from the Utopia Region as an artist displaying innovative interpretations of her Dreamings, religion and culture through her bold and dynamic approach to canvas.

Josie’s first job was working at the Santa Teresa mission as a chef, this is where she also met her husband, Robin (now deceased), and after her bush marriage moved with him to an area of Utopia called Mt Swan where they had 7 children, she also raised another child who was the son of her sister. Josie has also worked as a translator for the Central Land Council.

Her earlier works are quite typical of “Utopia Art” Much line work depicting Body paint designs, and many traditional symbols seen in Central Desert Dot paintings. Her most recent collection titled “Bush Berries” portrays the abundance of colours found within the landscape of the Central Desert.a

Her Dreamings are based on native plants and bush tucker species and the various colours depicted throughout her local landscape, as well as design elements associated with women’s Awelye (ceremony/dancing) and Women’s Dreamings.

Josie creates visual harmony within her dot construction capturing the rich essence of the Utopian landscape. Her work is a fine example of the development of Central Desert dot painting from traditional dot construction to a fusion of abstracted forms, manifesting a spiritual and cultural celebration.