Aboriginal Artist from Utopia

Elena Obermeier — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:57:28 GMT

Barbara Weir was born on Bundy Station 270 kms north-east of Alice Springs. She is the daughter of the well known artist, the late Minnie Pwerle and an Irish-American, Jack Weir who owned Bundy Station.

Barbara is of the stolen generation. In 1954, aged nine she was taken away by Native Welfare and was fostered out to various families in Alice Springs, Victoria and Darwin. At the time of removal from her homeland, Barbara was under the custodianship of her aunty, the acclaimed artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Grass
P1503
120 x 200 cm

Having lost contact with her family, Barbara returned to Utopia in the late 1960s. After an emotional reunion she was reunited with her mother, Minnie Pwerle and her aunty, Emily Kngwarreye.

In 1977 as a single mother, Barbara and her six children returned permanently to Utopia. During the period of time away from her country Barbara had lost her indigenous language and culture. Returning to Utopia was not easy and although Barbara’s relationship with her mother was at first difficult, it was made easier by the love and influence of her Aunty Emily.

Inspired by the work of Emily and other artists at Utopia, Barbara began to explore and experiment with different art media. After returning from a trip to Indonesia in 1994 to study batik, Barbara developed her own unique style.

Recognising her flair and talent, private collectors quickly purchased all her paintings.

Barbara became internationally known in 1996 where at the request of a European collector she ran workshops in Paris and Switzerland. The response to her paintings was overwhelming with all works immediately sold. Her first solo exhibition, which was a sell-out, was held in 1999.

My Country
P4150
121 x 182 cm

Barbara’s paintings are held in numerous private collections and all major art galleries in Australia and overseas.

Today, Barbara divides her time between her home in Adelaide and a studio residence in Alice Springs.

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Aboriginal Artist from Utopia