Harold Payne Mpetyane

Utopia,

Born c. 1937
Language Group: Anmatyerre
Country: Ilkawerne
Medium: Acrylic on canvas and linen
Subject(s): Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Arekwarr (Wild
Pigeon) Dreaming, Atyetyart (Olden Day People) Story, Country, Men’s Stories

Harold is a ‘boss man’ of Ilkawerne country, south of the Utopia Region. In Dec 2000/Jan 2001, Mbantua Gallery exhibited for the first time Atyetyart stories representing the men from this area. Harold is the main story teller of Atyetyart stories – stories about the ‘olden day people’, he says. These stories were passed down to him by his father. Harold says the
passing of stories through the generations keeps the stories alive and the country strong.