Bessie Pitjara

Bessie Pitjara was born in 1970 in Utopia, an Indigenous homelands region some 240kms north-east of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Bessie is the daughter of famed Indigenous artist, Polly Ngale.

Bessie typically paints the same story as Polly, Bush Plum Dreaming, in a similar style as the Utopia masters - using a dotting technique and heavily layered paint to depict the bush plum in various stages of ripeness. This style of work has often been compared to that of the 19^th century Impressionists; reminiscent of the colour fields used and their immediate emotive quality. 

The bush plum is an important source of vitamin C, and is greatly valued for its nutritional value. Women traditionally conduct a lot of song and ceremony to do with the bush plum, honouring the spirit of the plants to continue their growth. Bessie also carves the local bean tree timber in sculptures such as spirit men, birds and people.  Like her paintings, she decorates them with bright and lively colours.