Mulga Tree Seed Dreamingby Lyndsay Bird Mpetyane

Lyndsay Bird Mpetyane was born in approximately 1940 and comes from Akaye Soakage (Mulga Bore) in the region of Utopia Community. He is a respected elder of the Eastern Anmatyerre language group. Lyndsay is considered a senior law man and he is the custodian of many Dreamings including themes associated with men’s law which is depicted within his artwork. Lyndsay is married to Mavis Petyarre and together they have three daughters, Rosie, Jessie and Karen Bird.

When the women of Utopia were involved in the silk batik community project in the late 1970’s Lyndsay was in fact one of the few men who also worked with this medium as well. In 1987, like many others he moved to work with acrylic paints on canvas.

His paintings are typically quite large and are bold in colour. The iconic and linear patterns of his work share Dreamings such as Honey Ant, Utnea (Carpet Snake), Elcudjera (Prickle), Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Ntang Artitja (Mulga Seed), Tyankern (Mulga Berry), Spears, Arlkeny (Men’s Body Paint Designs) and other men’s law themes.

Central Art has a wonderful array of some of his Dreamings and in various colours. He uses traditional symbols and iconography is some of his artworks as well as traditional ochre colours to give a more traditional feel to his artworks whilst others which are similar in design are coloured in bright purples or greens giving a more contemporary feel. Lyndsay is also known for under painting the canvas, usually in grey or ochre making his paintings quite distinct and easily recognisable.

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