Bessie Pitjara

Born in 1970, Bessie Pitjara is the daughter of the esteemed Alyawarre artist, Polly Ngale. Bessie's artistic focus centres on the same narrative as her mother's—Bush Plum. Employing a technique of heavily layered paint, Bessie skilfully portrays the bush plum in its various stages of ripeness. Beyond its nutritional value as a source of vitamin C, the bush plum holds cultural significance, leading the women to engage in elaborate song and ceremony associated with this fruit.

Bessie's artistic style, often likened to that of the 19th-century Impressionists, reflects a reminiscent quality with its vibrant colour fields and immediate emotive appeal. In addition to her paintings, Bessie extends her creativity to carving local bean tree timber, crafting sculptures featuring spirit men, birds, and people. These sculptures come to life with her application of bright and lively colours, adding a dynamic and captivating dimension to her artistic repertoire.