June Bird Ngale
June Bird Ngale, born in 1955 at Waite River in the Northern Territory, is a distinguished artist from the Anmatyerre language group. She later moved to the Mulga Bore outstation on the Utopia Homelands with her family. Following the early passing of her father, Tommy Bird Mpetyane, she came to regard Lindsay Bird Mpetyane as her father. Her mother, the renowned artist Ada Bird Petyarre, passed away in 2010.
June is known for her versatility in painting styles, capturing the essence of her country and culture. She is deeply knowledgeable about her cultural law and communicates this through her artwork. June also actively participates in cultural ceremonies, including song and dance, and is recognized for her vibrant use of colour.
Her work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions and is held in prominent collections, including the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. June primarily works with acrylic on canvas and linen, as well as batik on silk. Her subjects include the Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), and various depictions of her country's landscapes and cultural practices.
June's career began with batik in the 1980s, and her work is part of the prestigious Robert Holmes à Court Collection. She resides with her husband and children in the Utopia Region of Central Australia.
Her work is included in collections such as:
- Mbantua Gallery Collection, Alice Springs, NT
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT
- The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth, WA
- University of Queensland Anthropology Museum, St Lucia, QLD
Notable exhibitions featuring her work include:
- 1985: The Second National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT
- 1991: Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Exhibition, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT
- 1999: My Country - Powerful Expressions, Wollondilly Galerie, Germany
- 2004: Mbantua Gallery USA exhibitions
- 2004-2006: Evolution of Utopia, Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs, NT
