Emily Pwerle

Emily Pwerle top ten paintings sold

Emily Pwerle (circa 1922–2022) was an acclaimed Anmatyerre elder from the Utopia region (Atnwengerrp country) who began painting later in life alongside her famous sisters, Minnie Pwerle, Molly Pwerle, and Galya Pwerle—collectively celebrated as the “Pwerle Sisters”. [1]

Much like other premium mid-tier artists from her region, Emily Pwerle’s individual paintings do not trade on a multi-million dollar global “Top 10” macro list, which is typically reserved for rare masterworks by her contemporary Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Instead, Emily Pwerle’s art represents a highly reliable segment of collectible contemporary Indigenous fine art, with her highest public auction records peaking at $9,818 AUD, while her primary gallery canvases reliably trade between $1,500 and $6,500 AUD. [1, 2, 3]

Below is an overview of her highest-performing sales milestones, along with the core styles collectors track:

Verified Highest Sales & Market Benchmarks

• Awelye Attwengerrp (2007 Canvas)
  • Sale Price: $9,818 AUD / $7,240 USD (Sold via Menzies Art Brands, Sydney)
  • Significance: This stands as the all-time public auction record for an Emily Pwerle artwork.
  • Aesthetic: A quintessential early-career canvas featuring heavy, fluidly layered linear arrangements mapping sacred women’s body paint. [1, 2]
• Awelye (Body Paint) Series
  • Auction Range: $2,000 – $5,000 AUD (Multiple high-tier auction occurrences)
  • Significance: Large-scale canvases (such as her 184 x 96 cm works) appear regularly through premier houses like Lawsons. These showcase her signature overlapping line groupings that produce a dense, breathing visual landscape. [1]

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The Core Styles Collectors Track

When fine art galleries like Mbantua Gallery or Kate Owen Gallery evaluate an Emily Pwerle painting for premium value, they assess two key signature series: [1, 2]

1. Awelye Atnwengerrp (Women’s Ceremony): Her primary artistic focus. These works depict the linear patterns painted onto women’s upper bodies for sacred ceremonies. Emily’s unique visual fingerprint is defined by painting these lines in distinct, rhythmic clusters that intertwine across the canvas, representing the tracks left by the ancestors. [1, 2]
2. Akarley (Northern Wild Orange) Dreaming: A sacred ancestral story she shared with her sisters. These compositions represent the wild desert orange fruit that ripens in the hot summer sand. The narrative utilizes dense dotting or circular icons interwoven around traditional line mappings to symbolise abundance and desert survival. [1]

Emily Pwerle auction results

Emily Pwerle (also known as Emily Jones Pwerle, c. 1922/1925–2022) has a highly active secondary market footprint, with hundreds of works appearing at fine art auctions globally. As a foundational member of the iconic Pwerle sisters from Atnwengerrp country (Utopia region), her distinct visual syntax commands steady collector interest. [1]

Her public auction results broadly span from $400 USD up to a record high of approximately $9,818 AUD ($7,240 USD). Over the past year, her works have maintained a solid presence with an overall auction average floating around $771 USD. [1, 2]

Notable Sales & Auction Records

• “Awelye Attwengerrp” (Masterwork)
  • Value: $9,818 AUD ($7,240 USD)
  • Details: Handled by Menzies Art Brands in Sydney, this sale represents the artist’s all-time public auction record. [1, 2]
• “Women’s Body Paint” & Large Canvas Formats
  • Estimate Range: Large-format acrylics on Belgian linen (e.g., 121 x 121 cm or 122 x 122 cm) frequently attract high-tier presale estimates between $2,000 USD and $5,000 USD at major houses like Lawsons and Shapiro Auctioneers. [1]
• Standard & Medium Linen Works
  • Value Range: Mid-scale decorative canvases (approx. 100 x 100 cm or 70 x 120 cm) routinely clear between $1,000 USD and $2,500 USD through popular boutique platforms like Ozbid Auctions. [1]

Market Value Differentiators

When appraising or collecting a piece by Emily Pwerle, specific elements drive the final hammer price:

• The Pwerle Style Overlap: Emily began painting later in life, heavily influenced by her legendary sister, Minnie Pwerle. Works that feature the highly coveted, fluid Awelye (Women’s Ceremony body paint) motifs—characterized by parallel tracking lines, loops, and intense dot overlays—draw the highest premiums. [1]
• Official Registry Provenance: Due to her high output, pristine documentation is vital. Works carrying registration numbers and official certificates from primary market portals like the Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings (AGOD) or DACOU hold significantly better liquidity and resale stability. [1, 2]

Oct 18, 2026

EMILY PWERLE (BORN 1925), Awelye Atnwengerrp 2005-2010

Gibson’s

Sold: AUD1,600

Oct 18, 2026

EMILY PWERLE (BORN 1925), Awelye Atnwegerrp 2005-2010

Gibson’s

Passed

Sep 28, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, Utopia, NT (c1922 -), Awelye Atnwengerrp, 2023, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 100 x 75 x 3 cm. (39.36 x 29.53 x 1.17 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD2,200

Sep 21, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 77cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,400

Aug 04, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 100cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

Jul 27, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, Australia (Aboriginal) (1925 -), Women’s Body Paint, 2005, acrylic on Belgian linen, 121 x 121 x 2 cm. (47.64 x 47.64 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD3,250

Jul 16, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 72cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,200

Jul 16, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 78cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,200

Jun 25, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 100cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Jun 25, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,200

Jun 25, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 76cm x 102cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

Jun 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 75cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD550

Jun 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 74cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD700

May 17, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 76cm x 101cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD750

May 17, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 77cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,300

Apr 28, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 99cm x 101cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,300

Apr 28, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 76cm x 102cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,300

Apr 07, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 75cm x 101cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD850

Mar 23, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1925 -), Awelye (Body Paint), 2010, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 184 x 96 x 2 cm. (72.43 x 37.79 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD2,800

Mar 17, 2026

Emily Pwerle, (b. 1925), Awelye Atnwengerrp, 2007, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 122 cm

Shapiro Auctioneers

Passed

Mar 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD700

Mar 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 96cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,500

Feb 17, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD850

Jan 26, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD850

Jan 26, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 99cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD900

Jan 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 97cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD600

Jan 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 99cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Jan 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 92cm x 105cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD650

Jan 02, 2026

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 99cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD750

Dec 15, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD600

Dec 15, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 99cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD650

Dec 15, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD650

Dec 15, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1930 -), Awelye Atnwengerrp, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 122 x 91 x 3 cm. (48.03 x 35.82 x 1.17 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD2,000

Dec 07, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Nov 23, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 74cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD950

Nov 23, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 99cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Nov 02, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 96cm x 98cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Nov 02, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (b.1922), ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 76cm x 118cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD950

Oct 19, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, b.1922, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Oct 19, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 74cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD900

Oct 19, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, b.1922, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 97cm x 97cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,400

Sep 28, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,600

Sep 28, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 73cm x 121cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD850

Sep 14, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 72cm x 120cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD750

Sep 14, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acylic on canvas., 71cm x 119cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

Aug 31, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 100cm x 100cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,100

Aug 03, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on canvas., 99cm x 99cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

May 25, 2025

EMILY PWERLE (BORN 1925), Awelye Atnwengerrp 2006

Gibson’s

Sold: AUD5,500

Apr 28, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, Aboriginal (1925 -), Awelye, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 88 x 123 x 3 cm. (34.6 x 48.4 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD2,400

Apr 21, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 80cm x 80cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD700

Apr 21, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 80cm x 80cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

Mar 24, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, (c1922 -), Awelye Antwengerrp, 2005, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 92 x 58 x 3 cm. (36.2 x 22.8 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD800

Mar 16, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 102cm x 202cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD3,500

Jan 27, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 149cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,100

Jan 27, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 117cm x 119cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,700

Jan 02, 2025

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 149cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Dec 18, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, (c1922 -), Awelye Antwengerrp, 2005, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 92 x 58 x 3 cm. (36.2 x 22.8 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Dec 08, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 149cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Nov 17, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 149cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Oct 27, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, (c1922 -), Awelye Antwengerrp, 2005, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 92 x 58 x 3 cm. (36.2 x 22.8 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Oct 27, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, (c1922 – ?), Untitled, 2007, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 162 x 122 x 4 cm. (63.7 x 48.0 x 1.5 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD3,000

Oct 27, 2024

EMILY PWERLE (BORN 1925), Awelye Atnwengerrp 2006

Gibson’s

Passed

Oct 08, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 101cm x 150cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,900

Oct 07, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 117cm x 119cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Sep 22, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, (c1922 -), Awelye, 2020, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 139 x 77 x 2 cm. (54.7 x 30.3 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD2,400

Aug 29, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, ALWELYE ATNWENGERRP (AWEP7482),

Leonard Joel

Sold: AUD900

Aug 25, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 100cm x 49cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,800

Aug 25, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 78cm x 80cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD700

Aug 25, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 88cm x 60cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD800

Aug 04, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, ”Awelye Atnwengerrp, Acrylic on linen., 109cm x 180cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD3,000

Aug 04, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 88cm x 60cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Aug 04, 2024

EMILY PWERLE, “Awelye Atnwengerrp”, Acrylic on linen., 100cm x 49cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

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