Project: Charmaine Pwerle | The Purple House | Classic Outback Trial

Delmore Gallery has facilitated what has been such an enjoyable project in support of The Purple House dialysis. The talented Utopia artist Charmaine Pwerle painted a rally car participating in the Classic Outback Trial 2018 (COT18), in support of the local charity.

The opportunity grew out of the chance meeting of entrant Joel Wald with the Director of Delmore Gallery, Don Holt, after the Classic Outback Trial in 2016. Don decided to commission Charmaine to paint the car and has also commissioned the dynamic artist to create two additional paintings on linen to be auctioned at the end of the COT18, on the 25th of August at Alice Springs Convention Centre, with all proceeds from the race and the auction to be donated to The Purple House.

The Melbourne based COT18 team, crewed by Joel Wald and Kim Begolhole, have trailered their classic rally car, a 1979 Datsun Stanza up to Alice Springs for the COT18. The Datsun was a blank metal canvas for Charmaine to create a unique artwork. The striking white on black painting is sure to make the Datsun stand out for the race, 18-25 August 2018.

On the car, Charmaine has painted her Dreaming as passed down from her Grandmother, Minnie Pwerle, from her Country near the community of Utopia, Atnwengerrp, 250 km north west of Alice Springs. Charmaine grew up on Utopia, and incidentally, one leg of the COT18 travels close to her Country.

Of this project Charmaine said:

“I am excited as it is the first time I have been offered a motor car, especially one so special to the owner, to share in my family's history.”