Rosabella Long Petyarre

Utopia,

Born: 1989
Language Group: Alyawarre
Country: Atnangkere
Subjects: Wild Flowers, Arnkerrthe(Mountain Devil Lizard), Ntyerm(Seed of the Dogwood Tree)

Rosabella began painting in September of 2007, like her mother Marcia Turner and younger sister Sacha Long. With an obvious natural flair for painting, Rosabella took a liking to it and has continued to produce beautiful artwork ever since.
Rosabella paints the Dreamtime story of the Arnkerrthe which has been passed down from her father’s country, Atnangkere. Arnkerrthe travelled over Rosabella’s land creating all of the people, sacred sites, songs and other Dreamtime stories. In its neck it holds a sac of ochre that Rosabella 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.
Rosabella continues to live out in the Utopia region with her husband and extended family.