Jeannie Mills Pwerle

Jeannie Mills Pwerle, born in 1965, from the Alyawarr language group, holds a prominent place in the art scene of Utopia in Central Australia. Her ancestral ties link her to the Atwengerrp and Irrwelty lands within the Utopia Region.

Renowned for her distinctive style depicting the Anaty, or desert yam/bush potato, Jeannie has gained widespread recognition since 2004. Her artwork, prominently featuring the Anaty story, has been showcased in exhibitions across Australia. In 2008, her sizable Anaty painting received acclaim as it was selected for the prestigious 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA).

Jeannie Mills Pwerle's artistic journey is enriched by close family connections to notable figures in the art world. Her mother, the well-known Utopian artist Dolly Mills Petyarre, and her late uncle, Greeny Purvis Petyarre, a finalist in the 21st NATSIAA, contribute to her artistic heritage. Additionally, her great aunt is the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye, recognized as one of the world's foremost modern and abstract artists. Jeannie's artistic evolution reflects the profound influence of these accomplished family members, as she developed her dynamic style within the realm of Aboriginal Art.

In her daily life at Utopia, Jeannie embodies the role of a ngangker, or traditional healer and doctor, providing guidance, bush medicines, and applications to her community. Residing in Ahalpere country alongside senior elder Lena Pwerle, Jeannie actively engages in the education and encouragement of fellow women, fostering their participation in painting, exhibitions, and cultural practices.