Born: c.1930 Utopia, NT
Language Group: Anmatyerre/Alyawarre
Community: Utopia, NT

Galya Pwerle is the youngest sister of acclaimed artist, Minnie Pwerle (as well as artists Molly and Emily Pwerle). Following the success of her sister Minnie, she was encouraged to paint by niece Barbara Weir at an advanced age in 2004. In 2005, only one year later, she was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Telstra award and was nominated again in 2008.

Characteristic of the painting style of Utopia and her family, Galya paints Awelye (women’s ceremony). Not dissimilar to the late, great Emily Kngwarreye, she typically begins with a layer of linear/curved body paint designs. This layer is then obscured by blunt, thick brush markings of brightly coloured paints, almost floral in their depiction.