Sacha Petyarre is a young mother who approached Mbantua Gallery during a painting trip to the Utopia Region in 2005, wanting painting materials. After this time, she was enthusiastic to have joined the other women in such a community affair, full of inspiration.

Sacha is the daughter of artist Marcia Turner and younger sister to Rosabella who also paint for Mbantua Gallery. Sacha and Rosabella both paint the Dreamtime story of the Arnkerrthe, which has been passed down from their father’s country, Atnangkere. Arnkerrthe travelled over Sacha’s land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories. In its neck it holds a sac of ochre that Sacha and her people use for ceremonies.

Although this story is passed down to her by her father, her painting style is influenced by her mother and also her extended family which include the likes of artists Jennifer, Judy, Maureen and Jedda Purvis who all paint in an array of beautiful, bold colours and soft brushstrokes.
Another popular subject known to Sacha and her sister is wild flowers, which they depict with beauty and precision.

Sacha continues to live out in the Utopia region with her extended family.

CollectionsMbantua Gallery Permanent Collection, Alice Springs

Source:
Website of MBANTUA Fine Art Gallery and Cultural Museum

Sacha is from the Utopia Region in the Northern Territory of Australia, and is the daughter of artist Marcia Turner.

Long paints the Dreamtime story of the Mountain Devil Lizard which has been passed down from their father’s country. The Mountain Devil Lizard (or Frilled Neck Lizard) traveled over Sacha’s land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories. It is also believed the lizard collected the ochre pigments in its neck, which it then deposited throughout the Utopian area. Aboriginal people use these sacred ochre pigments for body painting in their ceremonies and artwork.