Barbara Weir "Grass Seed Dreaming"
Information
| Artist | Barbara Weir |
|---|---|
| Title | Grass Seed Dreaming |
| Language Group | Anmatyerre / Alyawarre |
| Born around | 1945 |
| Area | Utopia, NT |
| Catalogue | 2162 |
| Date | 2010 |
| Medium | Acrylic on Canvas |
| Size (W x H) | 30 x 30 cm |
| Price $AUD | $460 |
Description
Barbara Weir was born in 1945 at what was formerly known as Bundy River Station. Barbara’s mother Minnie Pwerle was Aboriginal and her father was Irish, Jack Weir. As she was of a mixed heritage, she was taken away from her family at the age of nine. This was a common event for ‘half caste’ children at that time, and these people are now known as the ‘stolen generation’.
Barbara was fostered out to various families, first in Alice Springs, then in Victoria, and Darwin. During these years she lost contact with her family but was determined to return and re-claim her heritage.
In the late 1960s Barbara and her six children returned to Utopia. There she was re-united with Emily Kame Kngwarreye, who had looked after her as a child. The reunion was a happy one although Barbara was unable to communicate with the family, as she did not know the language. Eventually, Barbara mastered both the Anmatyerre and Alyawarre languages.
On returning to her home and influenced by the acclaimed artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Barbara became interested in painting. In 1994, Barbara and other Aboriginal women traveled to Indonesia to learn more about the art of batik.
She returned from Indonesia full of ideas for developing her own style. In 1996 Barbara traveled to Switzerland and Paris at the request of a gallery owner who commissioned some of Barbara's paintings. Private collectors snapped up every painting and this proved to be the turning point in her life.
Grass Seed Dreaming is very important to Barbara as it was passed down to her by her ancestors. In the Utopia region there are many types of grasses that produce seeds. The seeds were tradionally ground into a powder, water was added and a rudamentary bread was then baked in the ash and coals of a fire. This method is very time consuming and is rarely practised now that flour and bread are available. The traditions are still respected and passed on so as not to forget them.
Barbara Weir is presently one of the most highly sought after and well-respected contemporary artists from the Utopia area.
