Louie Pwerle Biography
Louie Pwerle was an Anmatyerre law man who produced beautiful paintings with great authority and quiet pride.
Louie was the head stockman on Utopia when it was a pastoral lease by the Chalmers Family, and was highly regarded in the Alice Springs district for his ability with cattle and as a leader of men. He was a very good horseman who led from the front, and inspired others by his example.
Louie took part in the exhibition on oval frames that toured North America under the auspices of The Austral Gallery. His painting stood out and came to the attention of The Holmes a Court Foundation, who offered him, along with Emily Kame Kngwarreye, a higher price for his work, which was then exhibited in Perth in 1990.
In May 1990, Louie approached Don Holt at Delmore and asked for art materials. After seeing this painting, Don gave him bigger works to do and they were even better.
Louie produced a great body of work but he did not do many before he tragically had a heart attack during an all night ceremony involving vigorous dancing.
He is sorely missed by all who knew him.
COLLECTIONS
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth, WA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1990 Utopia Art Sydney, Stanmore, Australia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1994 Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Exhibition, Araluen Centre, Alice Springs1993 Australian Heritage Commission National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition, Old Parliament House, Canberra
1991 The Eighth National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
1989-1990 Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Perth
