Ada Bird Petyarre was an Eastern Anmatyerr artist active in Utopia, Northern Territory. Her work is represented in the National Gallery of Victoria collection.
Ada Bird Petyarre
Women's Ceremony, 2000
- Medium
- Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- 120 x 90 cm
- AGOD number
- AGOD8260
- Availability
- Available
$125000AUD
About this artwork
Women's Ceremony (2000) by Ada Bird Petyarre is an acrylic painting on canvas that reflects the significance of women's ceremonial traditions and cultural heritage. Measuring 120 × 90 cm, this artwork celebrates the enduring connection between cultural identity, community, and artistic expression.
About Ada Bird Petyarre
Ada Bird Petyarre (c. 1930–2009) was a respected Anmatyerre artist from the Utopia region of the Northern Territory, Australia. She was one of the pioneering women involved in the Utopia Batik movement, which began in the late 1970s and brought traditional designs into contemporary textile art. In 1988, she began painting on canvas, developing a distinctive style characterised by expressive linework, vibrant colours and patterns informed by cultural knowledge and connections to Country. Her artistic practice explored traditional themes, including women's ceremonial traditions and ancestral stories. Petyarre's work gained recognition in Australia and internationally, contributing to the visibility of contemporary Aboriginal art. Her paintings and batiks remain an important part of the artistic legacy of the Utopia women's movement.
Archive photographs
This page may include images, names and voices of deceased people.
Archive film
Women’s Ceremony — Archival Film
Archival footage documenting the artist’s practice, cultural activities, or artistic process. Include details about the people shown, the context of the recording, and its relationship to the artwork only where supported by reliable archival records.
Captions / transcript
A transcript or captions are provided where available to support accessibility and help viewers understand the recorded material.
Selected auction and private sale results
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Ada Bird Petyarre — Atnangkere (Awelye), 1990
AUD $27,600 Premium basis not stated
A significant example of Petyarre’s celebrated Awelye paintings, this work achieved a notable auction result and reflects the historical recognition of her artistic practice.
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Ada Bird Petyarre — Women’s Ceremony for the Mountain Desert Lizard, 1992
AUD $16,100 Premium-inclusive result
This large-scale painting reflects Petyarre’s distinctive visual language and the enduring cultural significance of women’s ceremonial traditions.
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Ada Bird Petyarre — Atnankere Dreaming, 1997
AUD $13,000 Reported private sale
This 1997 painting achieved a premium-inclusive auction result of AUD $15,535, reflecting its place in the secondary market for Ada Bird Petyarre’s distinctive contemporary Aboriginal art.
Selected historical results provide market context and are not a valuation of this artwork.