“I am an Mpetyan women. And I am living here in my father’s father’s country. I am happy to live here myself, Im really happy at this place. At Arrungkey”.
Patsy lives between Yuelamu Community and her outstation Arrungkey / Garden Bore. Patsy is surrounded by her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Patsy’s artworks capture her passion for her Country, bush plants and bush food. She has a deep knowledge of country. Patsy tells stories of being a young women walking between cattle stations, Conniston, Mt Allan and Napperby and working very hard.
Patsy has been involved in various areas of the visual arts for over three decades. Her works include mediums in fabrics, dressmaking, screen printing, canvas, ceramics, pottery and batik.
An established artist since the late 70’s.
“I was working at Mt Allan (now called Yuelamu) in the silver caravan getting clay from the dam, we had a kiln at Mt Allan. We did wood firing at the Outstation. After firing we painted them and then took them to the market. People loved them. Not one of the bowels were left”. Patsy’s love of pottery began in the mid 80’s when she discovered clay deposits on her homeland and began experimenting with the raw substance. She later attended a pottery workshop at Yuelamu Community. Patsy very much loved it and developed a keen practice. In 2009, she learned to throw pots on a wheel, but prefers the intimacy of hand building clay.
Her work has sold locally, nationally and internationally. Her artworks are highly sort after and collectable. The late legendary Australian icon, Slim Dusty and his family commissioned two of Patsy’s paintings for their collection.
Short Film: Patsy, a woman who loves clay, filmed at Arrengkey Outstation, 2012
